Drug Utilization Pattern of Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone and Metronidazole in General Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Rational use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent antimicrobial resistance, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. Ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazole are commonly prescribed antibiotics in the general medicine departments of tertiary care hospitals. Evaluating their utilization patterns helps identify trends, potential misuse, and areas for intervention. Objective: To assess the drug utilization pattern of ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazole in the General Medicine Department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 6 months in the General Medicine . Patients receiving at least one of the three study antibiotics were included. Data were collected using a structured data collection form and analyzed for parameters such as demographic details, indication, dosage, route of administration, duration of therapy, and adherence to treatment guidelines. Results: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, followed by metronidazole and ciprofloxacin Majority of the antibiotics were administered via the parenteral route. The most common indications were respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, and urinary tract infections. Deviations from standard treatment guidelines were observed in 68% of the prescriptions, highlighting areas of irrational use. Conclusion: The study revealed a high usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics, with notable instances of irrational prescribing practices. Regular drug utilization reviews and antibiotic stewardship programs are essential to promote rational antibiotic use and curb antimicrobial resistance in hospital settings.