PENETRATION OF CEFPIROME INTO SPUTUM IN CHRONIC RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS - COMPARISON OF ADMINISTRATION OF 0.5G AND 1.0G IN THE SAME PATIENT

This study evaluated the sputum penetration of cefpirome following slo w intravenous infusion of 0.5 and 1.0 g using a comparative cross-over design to reduce variability. Five patients with chronic respiratory tract infections were randomized to receive either 0.5 g followed by 1 .0 g, or by 1.0 g followed by 0.5 g cefpirome, by slow intravenous inf usion over 1 h, with a 24-h wash-out period between each treatment. Wi th the exception of one patient, sputum concentration correlated well with plasma concentration. Higher sputum levels of cefpirome were achi eved following the higher dose.