Background: Antibiotics are the most commonly used and misused of all drugs. Patterns of antibiotic resistance widely follows local patterns of antibiotic prescribing and usage. Periodic data collection and analysis of antibiotic prescriptions at regional level are essential to understand and combat antibiotic resistance. Objective of the study was to study the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study of prescribing pattern of antibiotics was conducted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology. Data of antibiotic utilization in outpatient department was collected through duplicate copies of the prescriptions. The data obtained was analyzed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 606 prescriptions were collected and analyzed during the study. Average number of antibiotics prescribed per prescription was 1.24 most of the antibiotics were prescribed for a duration of 1 to 5 days. Commonly prescribed antibiotic class was penicillin (48.1%) followed by quinolone (18.3%). Most of the antibiotics were prescribed by their brand names (98.8%).Conclusions: The present study highlights the wide use of extended spectrum antibiotics, along with brand names for prescribing. Interventions for prescribing of generic drugs from the essential drug list needs to be encouraged among physicians.

Background: Prescribing errors are major problems among medication errors. Prescribing errors include mistakes or inaccuracies when choosing and ordering treatments, such as wrong doses or illegible prescriptions. Most of these errors result in no harm or have low to moderate harm however, some result in severe harm or death. There are economic consequences attributed to prescribing errors.Methods: The aim of the study was to analyse the prescriptions for completeness. The prospective observational study was conducted in outpatient department of different specialities in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Prescriptions with atleast one antibiotic, was collected through duplicate copies from the prescribing doctors. The data obtained from prescriptions were analysed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 1516 prescriptions with 3957 drugs were prescribed, out of which 1697 were antibiotics. Average number of drugs per prescription was 2.6 and average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.1. Patient’s name, age, and gender were mentioned in 99%, 87.8%, and 96% of prescriptions respectively. Generic drug names were used in 0.7% of prescriptions. Out of 1681 antibiotics prescribed in 1574 had appropriate dosage form.Conclusions: The present study highlights the problem of incomplete prescriptions and extensive use of brand names. Intervention strategies focused on education and training, introduction of strict feedback control and monitoring systems are highly effective in reducing prescription errors.

Background: Despite advances in symptom management, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most dreadful consequences of cancer therapy.Methods: The study was carried out at Medical Oncology Department, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore. Hundred and forty-four cancer patients of either sex, aged 18-65 years with adequate blood counts requiring moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) as per Hesketh classification were included. The patients were prospectively divided into two groups before the initial cycle of chemotherapy. Patients in Group A (n=71) received ondansetron, and dexamethasone along with aprepitant capsules, Whereas, Group B (n=73) received palonosetron, and dexamethasone along with placebo capsules, 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Thereafter the patients were administered with the drugs and observed for nausea and vomiting. The efficiency of both regimens was assessed by adopting validated functional living index emesis (FLIE) questionnaire. Analysis of the data was done using the SPSS 21.0 software.Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.5 years and the male to female ratio was 1:2.4. In all the patients, no changes were detected in the ECG readings after MEC. The nausea and vomiting score were comparable in both groups. No significant difference (p>0.05) was noticed between group A and group B in both mm and in FLIE points. No serious adverse events were found relating to antiemetic treatment.Conclusions: Palonosetron in combination with corticosteroids was non inferior to ondansetron in combination with aprepitant and corticosteroids in controlling acute and delayed stages of CINV in patients requiring MEC. Thus, it can be recommended as first-line therapy for patients treated with MEC.

Introduction:This study was carried out to collect and analyze the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported with use of anticoagulants, heparin and fondaparinux. These drugs are vital in the treatment of unstable coronary artery diseases and emergencies.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study with active reporting of ADRs from cardiology and medicine department was conducted. The type of reaction was assessed by Rawlins and Thomson criteria, causality by Naranjo probability scale, severity by modified Hartwig criteria, and preventability by Schumock and Thornton criteria.Result:Of the 67 patients observed, 16 showed ADRs. Fifteen reactions were attributable to unfractionated heparin and one to fondaparinux following assessment by the Naranjo causality scale. Severity of the ADRs assessed by modified Hartwig criteria showed that although 12 of 16 (75%) were mild, 4 (25%) were moderate in severity. Modified Schumock and Thornton criteria showed that 9 of 16 (56.25%) reactions could not have been prevented whereas 5 (31.25%) were probably preventable and 2 (12.5%) were definitely preventable.Conclusion:Incidence of ADRs with fondaparinux was lower than with heparin, hence emphasizing its better safety profile. The study also highlights the need for nurses and other caretakers in the coronary care unit to enquire for and report ADRs, particularly with high-potency medicines that are associated with an equally high potential to induce ADRs.