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Drug utilization review of cephalosporins in a secondary care hospital in United Arab Emirates

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Abstract

Background Cephalosporins are one of the most commonly used antibiotics in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Few studies have been carried out to evaluate the antibiotic utilization pattern in UAE in spite of the obvious increase in cephalosporins resistance during the past decade. Objective To assess the prescriptions pattern of cephalosporins among physicians at a secondary care hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Method This observational prospective study was carried out during October 2013 to April 2014. The data of in patients were documented in the predesigned patient profile form and was analyzed for patient’s, drug’s and drug’s therapy related parameters. Results The 3rd generation cephalosporins constituted 83.6 % of the prescriptions, with ceftriaxone being the most commonly used one (81.1 %). They were mainly prescribed for the treatment of the lower respiratory tract infections (60.2 %). Seven (3.5 %) different ADRs linked to cephalosporin use were observed ranging from oral thrush to clostridium difficile infection. A total of 1039 antimicrobial and nonantimicrobial medications were prescribed concomitantly with cephalosporins. Conclusion The 3rd generation cephalosporins were commonly prescribed by parenteral route. Thus, there is a strong need for rationalizing their use to preserve their efficacy and prevent the development of resistance in the region.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to Dr. Gurumadhava Rao, Vice Chancellor, RAKMHSU and Dr. BG Nagavi, Dean, RAK College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, RAKMHSU, Ras Al Khaimah for making this study possible as well as to the management of Ibrahim Bin Obaidullah Hospital for facilitating the hospital rotations and the process of data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

    Mohammad Abou-Shaaban, Areeg Anwer Ali & Padma G. M. Rao

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

    Asif Majid

Authors
  1. Mohammad Abou-Shaaban
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  2. Areeg Anwer Ali
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  3. Padma G. M. Rao
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  4. Asif Majid
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Correspondence to Areeg Anwer Ali.

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No specific funding was received for this project.

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The authors report no conflict of interest.

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Abou-Shaaban, M., Ali, A.A., Rao, P.G.M. et al. Drug utilization review of cephalosporins in a secondary care hospital in United Arab Emirates. Int J Clin Pharm 38, 1367–1371 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-016-0392-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-016-0392-4

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