[Phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics. A comparative study of erythromycin versus clarithromycin].
BACKGROUND
To know and to compare the incidence of phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin.


METHODS
Non-randomized prospective study of consecutive patients who were diagnosed of community pneumonia and treated with intravenous macrolides (19 with erythromycin and 25 with clarithromycin).


RESULTS
The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in patients treated with erythromycin was 78.9% (incidence rate of 0.40 episodes/patient-day) and in those treated with clarithromycin 76% (incidence rate of 0.35 episodes/patient-day).


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of phlebitis is high and similar with intravenous administration of both macrolides.
de Dios García-Díaz
J
J
Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. jgarciad@hupa.insalud.es
Santolaya Perrín
R
R
Paz Martínez Ortega
M
M
Moreno-Vázquez
M
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D017291:Clarithromycin