A comparative study of cefepime/amikacin versus ceftazidime/amikacin as empirical therapy for the treatment of febrile neutropenia in leukemia patients due to chemotherapy

Objective To compare the efficacy of cefepime or ceftazidime in combination with amikacin in the treatment of febrile neutropenia in leukemia patients induced by chemotherapy. Method The data of 117 adult leukemia patients with febrile neutropenia treated with cefepime/amikacin or ceftazidime/amikacin in our hospital in recent years were retrospectively analyzed. Results The overall response rates to the two empirical regimens were 64.52% for the cefepime/amikacin and 62.75% for ceftazidime/amikacin groups, respectively (P 0.05). Drug- related side- effects were mild and reversible. Conclusion Cefepime in combination with amikacin can be as effective, safe and tolerable as ceftazidime plus amikacin in leukemia patients with febrile neutropenia and severe infection due to chemotherapy.