Drug Utilization Evaluation of Cefepime and Meropenem Based on the Infectious Disease Society of America and Defined Daily Dose Guidelines at the Payambare-Azam Bandar Abbas Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Given the significant consumption of antibiotics in hospitals and the likelihood of resistance, this study was designed to determine the pattern of meropenem and cefepime administration and prescription dose, according to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and WHO Defined Daily Dose guidelines, at Payambare-Azam Hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

A Retrospective study was performed from August 2016-March 2017, on 200 patients (100 patients receiving cefepime and 100 patients received meropenem) hospitalized in different wards of the hospital. A total of 189 patients were enrolled in the study, with was with consideration of the patients receiving the two antibiotics concurrently.

Of the examined patients, 58 (31%) were female and 131 (69%) male. In the group receiving meropenem and cefepime, 62% and 60% of the patients were above 50 years old, respectively. In terms of prescriptions, 85% cases of meropenen and 49% cefepime were performed according to the defined daily dose (DDD)’s guideline. Prescribing antibiotics for 170 (90%) of patients was empirical. Also, in the 176 (93%) patients, the dose was adjusted according to the creatinine clearance.

Increasing the number of empirical therapy, regardless of microbial cultures and susceptibility profiles, suggests further prospective studies to evaluate the reason for this finding