Fluoroquinolone utilization among inpatients in a teaching hospital in western Nepal.

Objective: To obtain information on the prescribing patterns of fluoroquinolones among hospitalized patients, other antibiotics and drugs co-prescribed, calculate fluoroquinolone utilization using defined daily dose (DDD), calculate mean cost of drugs and detail the sensitivity patterns of isolated microorganisms.

Methods: The study was carried out over a five-month period (1st November 2003 to 31st March 2004) at the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Demographic details and duration of hospitalization was noted. The percentage of patients prescribed parenteral antibiotics and fluoroquinolones were recorded. The cost of drugs was determined using the price list supplied by the pharmacy. Fluoroquinolone utilization was measured in DDD/100 bed-days.

Results: Fluoroquinolones were prescribed to 263 patients during the study period; 160 females and 103 males. Mean +/- SD number of drugs prescribed and duration of hospitalization were 6.5 +/- 3.3 and 6.2 +/- 5.4 days respectively. Fluoroquinolone utilization was 7.76 DDD/100 bed-days. Ciprofloxacin was the most commonly prescribed drug (6.83 DDD/100 bed-days). Fluoroquinolones were used for prophylaxis in 110 patients (41.8%). Other indications were urinary tract infections and acute gastroenteritis. E.coli, S.aureus and P. aeruginosa were common organisms isolated. The mean cost of drugs was 13.1 U.S. $ and fluoroquinolones contributed to 36.7% of the total drug costs.

Conclusion: The use of fluoroquinolones was high compared to that reported previously.