The Duration of Azithromycin use for Outpatients in a Public Hospital in Alkharj
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study aims to explore the appropriateness of azithromycin use duration in the outpatient setting in a public hospital.
Methodology: The present study included a review of the electronic prescriptions in the outpatient setting in a public hospital in Alkharj between January 2018 till June 2018.
Results: The total number of outpatients who received was 541 patients. Most of these patients received azithromycin as a suspension (55.64%). In general, most of the patients received azithromycin for 3 days (88.17%) followed by 5 days (9.98%).
Conclusion: The study showed that azithromycin was prescribed commonly and that the duration of azithromycin treatment in the hospital was for 3 days for the majority of patients. it is important to monitor the appropriateness of prescribing azithromycin and to educate the patients about the use of their drugs.
Keywords: Antibiotic, azithromycin, duration, outpatient, use.