Two hundred and seventy-six hospitalized patients with severe infection (complicated UTI, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection or septicaemia) were randomly allocated to receive either lg or 2g cefpirome bd. Two hundred and seventy-four patients were evaluable for tolerance, 210 for bacteriological efficacy. The two groups were similar in terms of underlying disease, age, sex, and general condition on admission. The overall clinical and bacteriological response rates were 97/103 (94%) and 68/76 (90%) respectively in the 1g group, compared with 102/107 (95%) and 67/71 (94%) in the 2g group. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups. Eighteen adverse events, possibly or probably drug related, were reported (7 in the 1g group, 11 in the 2g group). This resulted in discontinuation of therapy in four cases (two in each group). Fourteen of the adverse events were local (five receiving lg, nine receiving 2g), mainly phlebitis or pain at the injection site. Thirteen patients died during the study period (up to 14 days after the last dose) but in no case was death attributed to cefpirome. A review of routine laboratory parameters revealed no abnormalities which could definitely be attributed to cefpirome although in four cases a relationship was considered possible; these included two increases in serum creatinine, one increase in SGPT, and one episode of neutropenia. Cefpirome administered as 1 or 2g twice daily was a well tolerated, effective agent for the treatment of severe sepsis in hospitalized patients. Two hundred and seventy-six hospitalized patients with severe infection (complicated UTI, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection or septicaemia) were randomly allocated to receive either lg or 2g cefpirome bd. Two hundred and seventy-four patients were evaluable for tolerance, 210 for bacteriological efficacy. The two groups were similar in terms of underlying disease, age, sex, and general condition on admission. The overall clinical and bacteriological response rates were 97/103 (94%) and 68/76 (90%) respectively in the 1g group, compared with 102/107 (95%) and 67/71 (94%) in the 2g group. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups. Eighteen adverse events, possibly or probably drug related, were reported (7 in the 1g group, 11 in the 2g group). This resulted in discontinuation of therapy in four cases (two in each group). Fourteen of the adverse events were local (five receiving lg, nine receiving 2g), mainly phlebitis or pain at the injection site. Thirteen patients died during the study period (up to 14 days after the last dose) but in no case was death attributed to cefpirome. A review of routine laboratory parameters revealed no abnormalities which could definitely be attributed to cefpirome although in four cases a relationship was considered possible; these included two increases in serum creatinine, one increase in SGPT, and one episode of neutropenia. Cefpirome administered as 1 or 2g twice daily was a well tolerated, effective agent for the treatment of severe sepsis in hospitalized patients. © 1992 Oxford University Press.
