Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Drug use evaluation of Meropenem at a tertiary care university hospital: A report from Northern Iran

Authors

. Ebrahim Salehifar 1
. Afshin Shiva 2
. Mona Moshayedi 3
. Taravat Samiei Kashi 4
. Aroona Chabra 4

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Thalassemia Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

4 Student's Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

Abstract
Objective: The inappropriate use of antibiotics remains the primary factor in antimicrobial 
drug resistance. In this study, we evaluate the use of meropenem in surgical/medical wards 
of Imam Khomeini Tertiary Referral Hospital, Sari, Iran.
Methods: This retrospective observational study was used to assess rational use of 
meropenem. The study was conducted by reviewing medical records of 100 admitted patients 
who received meropenem during March 2013 to January 2014.
Findings: Meropenem was prescribed most frequently in Intensive Care Unit (22%), and 
pneumonia was the most common diagnosis(35%). The third‑generation cephalosporins were 
the most frequently prescribed antimicrobials after meropenem (53%). In 21% of the patients, 
imipenem was changed to meropenem. Most of the inappropriate uses were seen in terms 
of frequency of meropenem use (34%), followed by duration of meropenem therapy (28%).
Conclusion: Comparing our study results has shown higher inappropriate use. It is necessary 
to take action to improve prescribing habit in order to reduce the unnecessary usage of 
antibiotic thus enhance rational antibiotic use.

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance
appropriate drug use
drug use evaluation
  Meropenem
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 4, Issue 4
Autumn 2015
Pages 222-225

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