title: Clinical evaluation of intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for serious infections.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) were evaluated in 22 adults with serious infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. These infections included pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis, deep-seated abscesses, and endocarditis. Of the 19 patients who could be evaluated, 12 (63%) were cured, and four (21%) showed definite improvement; three patients (16%) failed to respond to treatment. The only serious side effect occurred in a patient who had an acute reaction after his first dose. Mild adverse reactions were relatively common: three patients (13.6%) developed skin rashes, in one case with bronchospasm and eosinophilia. Mild transient decline of renal function was observed in five patients (22.7%) and decline of hepatic function in seven patients (31.8%); these abnormalities were not necessarily attributable to the drug. Although side effects were more common than previous reports indicate, intravenous TMP-SMZ was effective in the treatment of life-threatening infections unresponsive to other antibiotics.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole