Appropriate Antibacterials are Prescribed for Otitis Media But dose and dosage regimen are often inadequately ordered 100 patients aged 1 month to 17 years were randomly selected from patients with otitis media visiting a hospital emergency department In the USA. The appropriateness of management of the patients during 178 visits was assessed according to the reported literature. Antibacterials were prescribed for 99 patients. They included amoxicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, cefaclor, and erythromycin + sulfafurazole [sulfisoxazole]. In 27 cases, alternative antibacterials were prescribed when the first drugs were ineffective. 149 visits involved drug use. In 40% of these visits, the antibacterial orders were not evaluable because of a lack of dose strength or lack of specific direction for taking the medication. 40% of the evaluable orders used doses within the recommended ranges, 40% used higher doses and 20% used lower. An antihistamine with decongestant was prescribed during 25 ViSitS, antihistamine alone in 1 case and decongestant alone in 2 cases Paracetamol [acetaminophen] was prescribed in ali 32 cases of fever. Vinegar irrigation and various ear drops were prescribed in 11 and 17 cases, respectively. All patients were requested to return In 2 weeks but only 33 did so in a total of 42 visits. The choices of antibacterial appeared appropriate but deficiencies in dose or dosage regimens may lead to inadequate therapy or adverse effects. The role of antihistamines and ear irrigations and drops in otitis media is unclear but the use of paracetamol was appropriate Nahata MC Hembekldes 0. Korany' KL Chemotherapy (Basel) 32 178·182 Mar·Apr 1986

0156·2703/86/1005-0005/0$01.00/0

© ADIS Press

INPHARMA'" 5 Apr 1986

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