Tapping the hospital antimicrobial stewardship initiatives for monitoring antibiotics-related adverse drug reactions

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are harmful effects caused by medications. ADRs may have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life while additionally adding strain on the healthcare system. ADRs are one of the most common prevalent causes of morbidity globally, and they will continue to be a challenging public health issue as medication becomes more advanced to treat diverse diseases in a growing population. A retrospective observational study was carried out in one of the super speciality hospitals of a South Indian City on the antibiotic-associated ADRs reported from 2017 to 2023. Amongst 68 ADRs, 40 (59%) were found to be associated with antibiotics. These ADRs were associated equally in males 20 (50%) and females 20 (50%). The reactions were more in the age group >50 years (n = 20, 50%), and lesser in children of 2–11 years (n = 6, 15%). A higher number of ADRs was caused by beta-lactam inhibitors (n = 13, 33%), followed by the quinolone group (n = 11, 28%). The severity of the reactions was found to be mild (n = 30, 75%) and severe (n = 1, 2.5%). The most affected organ system was the skin and cutaneous system. The results of the study highlight enhanced hospital pharmacovigilance monitoring of antibiotics-associated ADRs to ensure patient safety. Alternatively, hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs may lead a joint effort in preventing antibiotic-associated ADRs and multidrug-resistant infections.