Abstract

Although many Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) require antimicrobial therapy for optimal management (such as Bronchopneumonia), most “acute self-limiting” RTIs (i.e., acute bronchitis, pharyngitis or common cold) are caused by respiratory viruses for which antibiotic use is not warranted. Hence the prescription of antibiotics in RTIs has been found out to provide both risks as well as benefits. The aim of this study is to analyze the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in RTIs and assess their risks and benefits from antibiotic guidelines. A prospective study was conducted in BMCH&RC, Chitradurga, for a period of six months. . The data from the record of each patient prescribed with antibiotics for RTIs was collected in a separate proforma and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel .In our study 597 antibiotics were prescribed to 362 patients. The most frequently diagnosed were self-limiting RTIs, where antibiotics were first line therapy. More ADR were seen in common cold (81.4%) followed by Acute bronchitis (4.8%) and viral pharyngitis (3%). More ADR were associated with Cephalosporins (37%) followed by Beta lactamase inhibitors (29.6%), Fluroquinolones (22.2%) and Tetracyclines (11%). Patients with bacterial infections received appropriate antibiotic treatment showed shortened duration of hospital stay and better survival. Inappropriate antibiotic prescription were analyzed in acute self-limiting RTIs, where it showed risks, While appropriate antibiotic prescription were analyzed in patients who acutely needed it, where it proved beneficial.