title: Comparative evaluation of safety and efficacy of cefmetazole and cefoxitin in lower respiratory tract infections.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of cefmetazole and cefoxitin were compared in a randomized open-label parallel trial in 68 hospitalized adult patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Of 40 patients evaluable for efficacy, 23/25 (92%) in the cefmetazole group and 13/15 (87%) in the cefoxitin group demonstrated a favourable clinical response. The causative bacteria were eradicated in 30/32 (94%) and 13/14 (93%) of isolates in the cefmetazole and cefoxitin groups, respectively. A total of 51 adverse events was noted in 68 patients: 36 in 26 patients (55%) in the cefmetazole group and 15 in 12 patients (57%) in the cefoxitin group. These events were reversible, and except in one patient who was treated for oral candidiasis, did not require any therapeutic intervention or prolonged hospitalization. Cefmetazole appears to be as safe and effective as cefoxitin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections of hospitalized patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Yangco
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Halkias
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Toney
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chmel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015311:Cefmetazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D015311:Cefmetazole; D002440:Cefoxitin