The Use of Topical Chloramphenicol for Eye Diseases in the Outpatient Setting
Nehad J. Ahmad *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah I. Hamdi
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nawaf Binduhaim
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hesham A. Alkhulifi
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Menshawy A. Menshawy
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the outpatient prescribing pattern of ophthalmic chloramphenicol in a public hospital in Alkharj.
Methodology: This is a retrospective study that includes reviewing the electronic prescriptions of ophthalmic chloramphenicol among outpatients in a public hospital in Alkharj.
Results: During the study period from 1st of January 2018 to the end of June 2018, 168 patients received ophthalmic chloramphenicol. More than 50 % of them were males and the age of 55.95% of them was less than 20 years. More than 46% of the ophthalmic chloramphenicol prescriptions were prescribed for 7 Days and 39.29% were prescribed for 5 days. More than 83% of the prescriptions were prescribed by emergency department.
Conclusion: The present study showed that ophthalmic chloramphenicol was uncommonly prescribed in Al-Kharj. Further studies are needed to explore the appropriateness of its prescribing and its use in order to decrease the bacterial resistance and to increase its efficacy.
Keywords: Antibiotics, chloramphenicol, ophthalmic, outpatient, prescribing