A randomized controlled clinical study of cefepime versus ceftazidime in the treatment of 129 patients with bacterial infections

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefepime in the treatment of patients with bacterial infections. Methods A randomized controlled study was conducted in patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), urinary tract infection (UTI), peritonitis, hepato biliary infection and septicemia. Dosage regimens were cefepime 2 g bid and ceftazidime 2 g q8h; while cefepime 1 g bid and ceftazidime 1g q8h were given to patients with UTI. Duration of treatment was 7～14 days. Results Sixty five patients were given cefepime and 64 patients were given ceftazidime. Clinical cure rates and total effective rates were 72.3%, 92.3% in the cefepime group, and 68.8%, 90.6% in the ceftazidime group respectively, and the corresponding bacterial eradication rates were 94.9% and 87.5% respectively. The adverse reaction rates were 6% in both groups. There were no significant difference in clinical cure rates, total effective rates, bacterial eradication rates and adverse reaction rates between the two groups. The results of the in vitro activity demonstrated that cefepime was highly active against E.coli, Enterobacter spp, Klebsiella spp, other Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and other Gram negative bacilli. Conclusion Cefepime is effective and safe in the treatment of LRTI, UTI, peritonitis, hepato biliary infection and septicemia caused by sensitive pathogens.