CEFEPIME VERSUS CEFTAZIDIME IN THE TREATMENT OF LOWER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS

The objective of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of c efepime and ceftazidime in the treatment of community acquired lower r espiratory tract infections of moderate intensity. Eighty-six patients were randomized at a 2:1 ratio to receive respectively cefepime 1 g b .i,d. or ceftazidime 1 g t.i.d. The drugs were well tolerated and the occurrence of adverse events in each group was comparable. The rates o f satisfactory clinical response were 96% (49/51) for cefepime and 89% (24/27) for ceftazidime. A total of 73 pathogens were isolated and pa thogen eradication rates were 98% and 96% respectively for the cefepim e and ceftazidime treatment groups. In conclusion, the data confirmed that cefepime could be a good alternative to ceftazidime.