Antibiotic treatment and associated prolonged prothrombin time.
The incidence and type of pathology causing a prolonged prothrombin time and clinical bleeding episodes were assessed in a multicentre study of 1109 patients receiving cefotetan, a N-methyl-thiotetrazole (NMTT), or equivalent antibiotics. There was no significant difference in the incidence of a prolonged prothrombin time (9.9% with cefotetan, 8.0% with comparable antibiotics) of clinical bleeding episodes. However, prothrombin time increases of greater than 12 seconds were significantly (p = 0.002) greater with cefotetan (3.8%) than with comparators (0.8%). In both antibiotic groups increases in prothrombin time were more likely following surgery and in patients who were older, with a high platelet count, low albumin, or higher urea and creatinine concentrations. All antibiotic treatment can be associated with prolonged prothrombin times and new agents should always be assessed in a large multicentre study before the practical, clinical importance of haemostatic defects can be defined.
ICI Pharmaceuticals, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
K J
KJ
Williams
R P
RP
Bax
H
H
Brown
S J
SJ
Machin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015313:Cefotetan / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012737:Sex Factors
D015313:Cefotetan