5^th International Conference on the Macrolides, Azalides, Streptogramins, Ketolides and Oxazolidinones

26-28 January, 2000, Seville, Spain
Abstract# 6.08

Patterns of Macrolides Prescribing In Outpatient Pediatric Departments in Russia

L. STRATCHOUNSKI, S. RATCHINA, A. BEDENKOV, S. KOZLOV

Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Smolensk, Russia

INTRODUCTION

Monitoring of antimicrobials prescribing is important both to determine a correlation between their utilization and the emergence of resistance and to improve the quality of antimicrobials prescribing.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency and main reasons for macrolides prescribing as well as their tolerability in outpatient children.

METHODS

Twenty five randomly selected pediatricians in 5 regions of Russia have completed the specially designed questionnaires. There were 2220 questionnaires completed for children aged from 0 to 17 (6.5+4.3) attending the consulting rooms. Diagnoses were classified according to ICD-10; antimicrobials - according to ATC classification.

RESULTS

Macrolides were second frequently used group of antimicrobials for systemic use (22%) after penicillins (44%) and they were prescribed lor 12.4% outpatient children. Most often they were administered in patients aged from 12 to 15 (29% of all antimicrobial prescriptions). Erythromycin was the most popular macrolide (51%), followed by midecamycin (33%), azithromycin (7%), roxithromycin (5%) and spiramycin (4%). Most common reasons for macrolides prescribing were viral upper respiratory tract infections - 39%, acute tonsillitis - 23%, acute bronchitis - 14%, otitis media - 7%, pneumonia - 6%. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) have been reported only in 6% patents receiving erythromycin and 3% receiving midecamycin Most of them were mild gastrointestinal disorders. There was nd serious ADR registered.

CONCLUSIONS

Macrolides are frequently used in outpatient children in Russia, however they are still often prescribed for the treatment of viral infections. Erythromycin remains the most popular macrolide while "new macrolides" are used less often.