USE OF CEFIXIME IN AN IV TO ORAL STEPDOWN PROGRAM TO REDUCE ANTIMICROBIAL COSTS

Cefixime, the first oral third-generation cephalosporin introduced in Canada, was added to the existing parenteral to oral antibiotic stepdo wn program The agent was primarily added as an oral alternative to IV ceftriaxone, which has a spectrum of activity similar to that of cefix ime. Data were collected on 110 patients: 50 received cefixime and 60 received ceftriaxone during the G-month study period Cefixime was used as a stepdown agent in 78% of its courses; however, ceftriaxone was s tepped down to cefixime in only half the cases studied. Clinical cure or improvement was observed in 93% of patients. An average cost avoida nce of $347 per stepdown course was realized, projected to an annual s aving of $27,000. Most stepdowns to cefixime met criteria for appropri ate use; the drug was most often used to treat pleuropulmonary and bro nchial infections.