Background: Antibiotics have been one of the most significant discoveries in the history of medicine, as they saved countless lives and prevented many serious complications from bacterial infections. Antibiotics are usually safe and effective in treating bacterial infections but can result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in some patients. Antibiotics are the most common class of drugs which implicate a greater number of ADRs, because of overuse and misuse of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and decreased efficacy.
Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to determine clinical symptoms, causality, and severity of antibiotic-associated ADRs.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 2021 to June 2022; data were collected from Adverse Drug Monitoring Center, GMC/Government General Hospital, Guntur. Prior Institutional Ethics Committee Approval and Permission from Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad, were taken. The collected reports were analyzed for ADR pattern, drug groups, causality, and severity. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results: Out of 847 ADRs reported, 119 (14%) ADRs were related to antibiotics. The majority of ADRs (65%) were reported in males. A greater number of ADRs were reported in mean age group 31–40 years. Anti-tubercular drugs (27%) were the most commonly implicated antibiotics followed by cephalosporins (22%). Most commonly affected system was cutaneous system (45%) followed by gastrointestinal system (21%). Most common ADRs reported were pruritus (20%), followed by rash (14%). 93% of ADRs were possible and 7% were probable. 87% of ADRs were mild, 12% were moderate, and 2% were severe ADRs.
Conclusion: ADRs can be prevented by taking proper action at an early stage. Implementation of antibiotic guideline policy for the hospital and strict adherence to it should be ensured to promote their rational and safe use.
Key words: Antibiotics; Adverse Drug Reactions; Antibiotic Policy
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