Intramuscular bipenicillin vs. intravenous penicillin in the treatment of erysipelas in adults: randomized controlled study.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular penicillin: mixture of benzyl penicillin and procain penicillin (2 MU x 2 times daily) and intravenous benzyl penicillin (4 MU x 6 times daily) in the treatment of hospitalized adult patients with erysipelas. A prospective randomized unicentric trial was conducted. In total, 112 patients entered the study; 57 in the intramuscular group and 55 patients in the intravenous group completed the trial. The failure rate was 14% for intramuscular group and 20% for the intravenous group (P = 0.40). Local complications such as of the leg abscesses were observed in the two groups (intravenous 9.1%, intramuscular 7%; P = 0477). Of the patients treated with intravenous benzyl penicillin, 25.5% presented complications related to the route (venitis). Intramuscular penicillin should be considered an effective and well-tolerated treatment of erysipelas in adult patients.
Zeglaoui
F
F
Department of Dermatology, Hopital Charles Nicolle Boulevard du 9 Avril 1006, Tunis, Tunisia.
Dziri
C
C
Mokhtar
I
I
Ezzine
N
N
Kharfi
M
M
Zghal
M
M
Fazaa
B
B
Kamoun
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010402:Penicillin G Procaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010402:Penicillin G Procaine; D010400:Penicillin G