A single center randomised study comparing the efficacy of ciprofloxacin+amikacin vs imipenem/cilastatin in febrile neutropenic patients

Abstract

Purpose: To compare Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin (C+A) combination with Imipenem/Cilastatin (I/C) for empiric antibiotic therapy in febrile neutropenia patients. Methods: In this open randomised trial of 43 evaluable febrile episodes, 22 episodes were treated with C+A (Ciprofloxacin 2x500 mg p.o. and Amikacin 1x1 g i.v.) and 21 were treated with I/C (4x500 mg i.v.). In 68% of the episodes neutropenia was severe (absolute neutrophil count 0.05). Toxicity was not different in the two drug regimens but cost was more expensive in I/C group (96.5$ vs 9.1$). Conclusion: We can say that both drug regimens are equally effective in febrile neutropenia, toxicity is comparable but C+A is cheaper than I/C.