Comparison of the efficacy and adverse effect profile of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone in ICU patients with susceptible infections.

In a prospective randomized double-blind trial, the efficacy and safety of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone were compared in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with serious infections requiring systemic antimicrobial therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either cefotaxime 1 g i.v. t.i.d. or ceftriaxone 2 g every 24 hr. Clinical and bacteriologic assessments were made before treatment, at 48 hr and 5 days during treatment, and 48 hr after treatment. At the time of reporting, a total of 34 patients had been entered into the trial, 27 of whom were evaluable; 23 patients (85%) completed a minimum of 5 days antibiotic treatment. At the end of treatment, using current statistics 67% of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone patients demonstrated clinical cure or improvement. Bacteriologic responses appeared greater in the cefotaxime group (55% vs 42%). The incidence of adverse effects, which were usually minor, was similar in each group. From these preliminary results, it would appear that at the doses used in this study, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone are equally effective in the treatment of infections in the ICU.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes