Use profile of antimicrobial and the medicine interactions in an adult ICU in Rio Grande do Sul.

Abstract

Justification and objective: In hospitals, especially in ICUs, there is a greater chance of selection and spread of antimicrobial resistant strains, due to the overuse of antibiotics and poor compliance with protocols. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the antibiotics used, the indication, the treatment period, the identification of potential drug interactions between these drugs and others used by patients. Method: Sectional and descriptive study in a hospital level IV of Rio Grande do Sul, was conducted from drug prescriptions in the Intensive Care Unit for the period April-May 2011, who received at least one antibiotic during hospitalization. Since all the prescriptions were assessed every day. Results: The majority (54%) patients were female. The average age was 61.8 years. Most patients (63%) were discharged from the ICU. The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 12.5 ± 3.6. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were vancomycin, piperacillin + tazobactam and cefepime. Among the possible interactions, the most serious were: haloperidol and levofloxacin and levofloxacin x Regular insulin. Conclusions: Although not all drug interactions can be prevented, the spread of knowledge among health professionals through the pharmacist, as the main risk factors for drug interactions, is one of the main instruments for the prevention of drug interactions. Keywords: Anti-infective agents. Drug Interactions. Intensive Care Units.