DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Background: Drug utilization studies (DUS) assess the marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs, emphasizing their medical, social, and economic impacts. In intensive care units (ICUs), rational drug use is essential due to the complexity of treatment and the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Aim: This study analyzes antimicrobial utilization patterns in the Medical ICU. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative observational study was conducted at the Medical ICU of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Ajmer, from November 2022 to December 2023. The study included 400 patients aged ≥18 years. Data on demographics, comorbidities, drug prescriptions, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were collected. The WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology was used for drug classification and consumption analysis. Results: The most common age group was 61-75 years (26%), with a male predominance (58%). Hypertension (29.75%) and diabetes (23.75%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Ceftriaxone (55.25%) was the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial, followed by Piperacillin + Tazobactam (19.25%). ADRs were observed in 44 cases (11%), with thrombophlebitis being the most common (8%). Antimicrobials were prescribed prophylactically in 61.55% of cases, empirically in 28.13%, and definitively in 10.30%. Conclusion: The study highlights the widespread use of antimicrobials in ICU settings, with a significant proportion of prophylactic prescriptions. Regular drug utilization reviews and adherence to antimicrobial stewardship guidelines are necessary to optimize prescribing practices, reduce ADRs, and combat antibiotic resistance.