A Six Years Report of Linezolid Consumption Pattern in Patients Admitted to Three Teaching Hospitals, Mashhad, Iran

Drug resistance is one of the greatest threats to the global health. Infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to severe disease, increased mortality, and a higher risk of complications and hospitalization. Antibiotic resistance also increases the health care system’s total cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the linezolid consumption pattern, as it is one of valuable antibiotics with limited approved indications, in three teaching hospitals over a period of ۶ years. This article is a descriptive retrospective study in which all inquiries about drugs and used dosage in cases admitted to following hospitals, from ۱st January ۲۰۱۱ to ۳۱st December ۲۰۱۷, were retrieved from Hospital Information System database for analysis. A total of ۹۷ cases (mean age ۵۱.۱۹ years) were studied. The prescribed dose of linezolid was between ۱۳۰-۱۲۰۰ mg/d. The mean duration of treatment was ۹.۴ days. The dose and duration of treatment was appropriate in all cases. Various forms of side effects related to linezolid were observed in patients including: optic neuropathy (۱%) and gastrointestinal complications (۱%). No cases of serotonin syndrome were observed. Just ۶.۲% of patients received linezolid for inappropriate indication. This report shows that fortunately, in most of cases linezolid was prescribed properly regarding indication, dose and duration. However, further educational program and regulatory monitoring can improve the situation.

Keywords:

Linezolid , Consumption Pattern , drug use evaluation , Antibiotic