Background The inappropriate use of systemic antifungal agents can result in unnecessary exposure, adverse events, increased microbial resistance and increased costs. Aim This study analysed the use of systemic antifungal agents and adherence to treatment guidelines for fungal infections. Setting A Brazilian tertiary hospital. Methods This cross-sectional study investigated 183 patients who were treated with systemic antifungals. Antifungal drugs were classified according to the fourth level of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. The appropriateness of treatments was analysed with respect to the indication, dose and potential drug-drug interactions. Descriptive and univariate statistical analyses were performed. The main outcome measure was the frequency of adherence to treatment guidelines for fungal infections. Results The number of established treatments was 320, with 163 (50.9 %) pre-emptive, 63 (19.7 %) targeted, 56 (17.5 %) empirical and 38 (11.9 %) prophylactic treatments. The overall adherence to the treatment guidelines was 29.4 %. The proportion of appropriate treatment considering indication, dosage and drug-drug interactions was 84.1, 67.8 and 47.2 %, respectively. The most commonly prescribed systemic antifungal agents were fluconazole in 170 (53.1 %), voriconazole in 43 (13.4 %) and amphotericin B deoxycholate in 36 (11.3 %) cases. Conclusion The study showed a low proportion of appropriate antifungal drug use; the dosage and drug-drug interactions criteria were the determining factors for the high percentage of non-adherence to treatment guidelines in the hospital. The profile of antifungal agents used showed the predominance of fluconazole as well as the use of new antifungal drugs.

No abstract

No abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of systemic antifungal drugs in patients hospitalized at a high-complexity hospital. In addition, factors associated with ADRs were investigated. This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the investigation of 183 medical records of patients receiving systemic antifungal therapy. Antifungal drugs were classified using the fourth level of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical System. ADR causality was classified using the Naranjo algorithm. Drug interactions were assessed using DRUG-REAX software. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 53 patients (29.0%) had at least 1 ADR involving antifungals. Ninety-six ADRs were detected. The main ADRs observed were an infusion reaction in 24 patients (25.0%), hypokalemia in 22 (22.9%), nephrotoxicity in 18 (18.7%), and hepatotoxicity in 15 (15.6%). Amphotericin B and voriconazole were associated with ADRs of major clinical impact. Eleven of the ADRs (11.4%) were related to drug interactions. The following 3 factors were contributors to the multivariate model for the occurrence of ADRs caused by antifungal drug use: neoplasm diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 1.9-7.9), length of hospital stay (OR, 2.2; 1.1-4.5), and the use of ≥13 drugs (OR, 3.4; 1.6-7.2). Our study revealed positive associations between the occurrence of ADRs and diagnosis of a neoplasm, the length of stay, and the use of multiple drugs concomitant with antifungals. These risk factors should be considered in antifungal stewardship, among other actions, to promote the rational use of antifungal agents.