Levofloxacin Combined with Sodium Bicarbonate for Prevention of Irinotecan-induced Diarrhea

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of Levofloxacin combined with sodium bicarbonate in irinotecan-induced diarrhea.Methods A total of 30 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were allocated into group A(n=15) and group B(n=15).Patients in group A were treated with irinotecan chemotherapy for 71 weeks,and were given oral levofloxacin(0.1 g,2 times per day) and sodium bicarbonate tablets(2 g,3 times per day) for 4 days at 1 day before chemotherapy.Patients in group B were treated with irinotecan chemotherapy for 53 weeks(loperamide hydrochloride as a routine backup),and were asked to avoid eating dairy products,crude fiber foods,pepper,coffee and other foods causing diarrhea.The total incidence of diarrhea and occurrences of grade 1-2 and grade 3-4 diarrhea were compared between the two groups.Results The duration of diarrhea,grade 1-2 diarrhea and grade 3-4 diarrhea in group A(7,6 and 1 weeks,respectively) was significantly shorter than that in group B(27,21 and 6 weeks,respectively)(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion Levofloxacin combined with sodium bicarbonate is effective for the prevention of irinotecan-induced diarrhea.