Prescription trends on the preference of antibiotics for the management of respiratory tract infections in India

Background: Respiratory tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Irrational prescribing of various drugs for respiratory diseases are common practice worldwide. Considering this scenario, the present study was undertaken to analyse recent prescribing trends in the management of Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs). Methodology: This study collected data from a multiple-response questionnaire-based survey among 442 clinicians via email or an online survey platform. The questionnaire focused on the prevalence, symptoms, causes, clinical characteristics, management of RTI, and the usage of respiratory medications in clinical practice. Results: About 47% of respondents said that 11-30% of their patients need more than one antibiotic for RTI. 53% of respondents observed pharyngitis/ tonsillitis as the most common indication of RTI. Close to half of the respondents (45%) prescribe antibiotics to 50-75% of their patients. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) said that cefpodoxime was the most common antibiotic they prescribe regularly in their practice. 37% of respondents prefer cefpodoxime in bacterial tonsillopharyngitis while 21% prefer amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and azithromycin. 44% of respondents prefer cefpodoxime in AECB (acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis) while 15% prefer amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and only 10% prefer azithromycin. 51% of respondents prefer cefpodoxime in bacterial rhino sinusitis (acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis). Conclusion: The prescribing patterns for the management of RTIs in the clinical practice were inconsistent with current guidelines. Strict adherence to guidelines must be ensured and antibiotic prescribing for RTIs should be discouraged.