title: Piperacillin-tazobactam versus imipenem-cilastatin for treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
abstract: In order to compare the clinical and microbiological efficacies and safety of piperacillin plus tazobactam with those of imipenem plus cilastatin, 134 patients with intra-abdominal infections (73 patients with appendicitis) participated in an open randomized comparative multicenter trial. A total of 40 men and 29 women (mean age, 53 years; age range, 18 to 92 years) were enrolled in the piperacillin-tazobactam group and 40 men and 25 women (mean age, 54 years; age range, 16 to 91 years) were enrolled in the imipenem-cilastatin group. The patients received either piperacillin (4 g) and tazobactam (500 mg) every 8 h or imipenem and cilastatin (500 mg each) every 8 h. Both regimens were given by intravenous infusion. A total of 113 patients were clinically evaluable. Of 55 patients who received piperacillin-tazobactam, 50 were clinically cured, while 40 of 58 patients in the imipenem-cilastatin group were clinically cured. The differences were significant (Wilcoxon test; P = 0.005). There were 4 failures or relapses in the piperacillin-tazobactam group and 18 failures or relapses in the imipenem-cilastatin group. The microorganisms isolated were eradicated in similar proportions in the two patient groups. Adverse reactions, mainly gastrointestinal disturbances and nausea, were noted in 13 patients who received piperacillin-tazobactam and in 14 patients who received imipenem-cilastatin. Results of the present study show that piperacillin-tazobactam is effective and safe for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
authors.affiliation: Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brismar
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Malmborg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tunevall
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wretlind
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Mentzing
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Nyström
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kihlström
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bäckstrand
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skau
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078142:Tazobactam; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D000078142:Tazobactam; D010878:Piperacillin