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 Original Articles |
| A Comparative Study of Cefepime Versus Ceftazidime Monotherapy as Empirical Therapy for Febrile Episodes in Neutropenic Patients |
| Dong Hyun Lee, Choon Kwan Kim, Ji Young Ko, Joo Rak Ma, Ga Young Lee, Sang Yol Chon, Bong Seog Kim, Young Ho Noh |
| Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Veterans Hospital |
Vol.20 Num.3 (p243~251)
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Background : In view of the recent trend toward monotherapy in the treatment of bacterial infection, we evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefepime versus ceftazidime for the empiric treatment of febrile episodes in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
METHODS : A prospective, double-blind, randomized studv of cefepime 2g every twelve hours and ceftazime 2g every eight hours was performed in 40 adult neutropenic (absolute neutrophil count <500/mm3) cancer patients with fever.
RESULTS : Forty patients were evaluable. Median duration of neutropenia was 11.5 days in cefepime and 10.5 days in ceftazidime. Treatment was successful in (60%)(12/20) of cefepime-treated patients and (65%)(13/20) of ceftazidime-treated patients. Overall mortality was 10%(2/20) of cefepime-treated patients and 15% of ceftazidime-treated patients.
CONCLUSIONS : Cefepime appears to be as effective as ceftazidime in the initial treatment of febrile episodes in adult cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated neutropenia of modest duration.
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Keywords : cefepime, ceftazidime, neutropenia, cancer |
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