Abstracts by keywords: Antibiotics
For years it has been reported worldwide that antibiotics from the fluoroquinolones group are associated with serious and sometimes irreversible risks for patients. In comparison, these antibiotics in particular are prescribed very frequently in Germany. According to calculations by the AOK Scientific Institute (WIdO) based on prescription data from AOK insured persons, these drugs were prescribed to 3.3 million patients in Germany in 2018 alone - still too often given the fact that fluoroquinolones are are reserve antibiotics. For many indications, highly effective and at the same time lower-risk substances are available. In the case of minor illnesses such as uncomplicated urinary tract or simple respiratory tract infections, the use of antibiotics can be avoided entirely. Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics whose active ingredient name ends in “-floxacin”, such as ciprofloxacin (trade name, e.g. “Ciprobay”) or levofloxacin (trade name, e.g. “Tavanic”). They have antibacterial properties and can cure serious, life-threatening infections. However, in a few cases they cause serious and long-lasting side effects such as tendon ruptures or psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, these reserve antibiotics should only be used after a thorough benefit-risk assessment and only as a last-line treatment option (so-called last-line use). Patients must be intensively informed about the dangers and alternatives of these medications and receive targeted support in the event of damage.
04.04.2020
As part of the 1st Northeast Children's Report of the Northeast Health Sciences Institute of the AOK Nordost, the development of antibiotic use in the pediatric setting was also examined (Witte et al. 2017). In general usage and also in the clinical context, antibiotics refer to active ingredients that inhibit the growth of bacteria or kill them. Due to decades of excessive and untargeted use of antibiotics, the increase in insensitivity of bacterial pathogens has developed into a significant public health problem worldwide. Patients and doctors are increasingly confronted with bacterial strains that are resistant to many common antibiotic agents (WHO 2011). As a result of the increase in so-called multi-resistant pathogens, the duration of treatment, the severity of the disease and the risk of death from serious infections are increasing. The same applies to the resulting costs of appropriate medical care (Aloush et al. 2006; Maragakis et al. 2008; Song et al. 2003; Qavi et al. 2005).