137A STUDY OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL UTILIZATION PATTERN IN UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL INDIAUpper respiratory tract comprises of nose, para nasal sinuses, larynx, pharynx i.e the airway above the glottis or vocal cords. Infections of which can be bacterial, viral or fungal in aetiology. Bacterial URTIs are managed empirically with antimicrobial agents (AMAs).The choice of AMA depends on the prevalent pathogens, their susceptibility/resistance, cost/availability and the prescribing trend of clinicians. Since data pertaining to Indian population in this regard is limited, present study was taken up.To study the antimicrobial utilization pattern, the efficacy and tolerability of the chosen AMAs in upper respiratory tract infections.2. To determine the rationality of the drugs used.100 subjects with URTIs were included for present study .A detailed history was recorded from all the subjects. The pattern of AMA use, dose, frequency and duration of administration were documented. Rationality of the prescriptions was determined from the number of fixed drug combinations given, the number of brand names used, whether unnecessary poly pharmacy was being practised. Efficacy of therapy was assessed by the treatment outcome after full course and tolerability by observing for any adverse effects.The AMAs commonly used for URTIs included beta-lactam antibiotics like amoxicillin+ clavulanic acid or cefpodoxime /cefadroxil/ cefuroxime axetil/ cefexime + clavulanic acid and fluoroquinolones like levofloxacin, which are given orally for 5 days. Treatment response and tolerability was good in all subjects. Amoxiclav combination can be considered as the primary option for the empirical therapy of bacterial URTIs, and other AMAs are alternatives.manali1988_mahajan@yahoo.comReview612016Antimicrobial agents,Upper respiratory tract infections, Fixed drug combinations, Poly pharmacyMahajan Manali M,Dudhgaonkar Sujata S,Deshmukh Swapnil NDepartment of Pharmacology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India,Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.