A pharmacy-based cross-sectional study to assess the antibiotic prescription pattern by medical and dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in dental practice are well known and have become widespread worldwide. Its potential effect and high risk of serious reaction have emphasized the need to reduce and limit the precipitation. In this study we aimed to identify the prevalence, type, dose, and duration of antibiotics prescribed by general medical and dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from April 2020 to December 2020. A total of 45,100 antibiotic prescriptions were collected from different governmental and private pharmacies and screened to be included in this study. Data extraction from all prescriptions followed a standardized form that included the following information: Doctor specialty, type of antibiotic, duration, and dose of antibiotic. Results: A total of 38,175 antibiotic prescriptions prescribed by licensed doctors practicing in governmental or private hospitals were included in this study. Thirty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-eight (92%) outpatient antibiotics were prescribed by medical practitioners, and 2997 (8%) antibiotics were prescribed by dentists. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was Augmentin (60%), followed by metronidazole and amoxicillin (35%). The most common dose and duration prescribed by dentists for Augmentin was 625 mg, 3 times per day for 5 days, whereas that of metronidazole was 500 mg, 3 times per day for 7 days. Prescribed dose and duration of amoxicillin was 500 mg, 3 times per day for 7 days. Conclusions: This study helps in understanding healthcare practitioners' patterns and adds to the knowledge on how to deal with odontogenic infections. Further national studies are recommended to include more regions in Saudi Arabia and to illustrate the misuse of outpatient antibiotics.