Tolerance in patients with terminal renal insufficiency of high doses of cefotaxime.

Eleven patients with terminal renal insufficiency requiring dialysis were treated with 3 X 2 g cefotaxime in an open study lasting five days when the clinical findings strongly indicated a serious bacterial infection. The effect of the administration of the high-dose antibiotic on the coagulation system (Quick test, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, antithrombin III and platelets) and on brain function (EEG) was investigated. The serum levels showed that the serum concentrations were not abnormally high in cases of terminal renal insufficiency requiring dialysis. In contrast to previous investigations in other beta-lactam antibiotics, no changes in the coagulation system or EEG occurred. On the basis of these findings, no reduction in the dose appears necessary for cefotaxime, if therapy does not exceed five days.