CEFTIBUTENE THERAPY IN CHILDHOOD
Németh Á, Ovács GK, Chmidt MS,
Ablonczy M, Fekete GY
Semmelweis
University Faculty of Medicine 2nd Department of Pediatrics
Budapest,
Hungary
Objective: Ceftibutene is an
orally administered cephalosporin of the third generation.
It can be used effectively due to its
good pharmacokynetical parameters, beta lactamase stability and good
tolerability.
Method: We examined the
efficacy and safety of ceftibuten in 108 patients with respiratory tract
infection, 46 patients with urinary tract infection (total 154 patients).
We used it in immuncompromised patients as well as in switch therapy - we
analised 57 cases with fever and neutropenia. After 24 hours period without
fever the patients were randomized. One part (25) of the patients continued
the earlier started iv. Therapy (ceftazidine and aminoglikoside) the other
part (32) of the patients received oral ceftibutene treatment for a mean of five days (3-7
days). The patients’ mean age was 5,5 years (3 months-18 years; 107 boys,
104 girls).
Results: Ceftibutene was
effective in all 3 groups. In the „upper respiratory tract infection” group
the improvement rate was 101/108, in the „urinary tract infection” group
38/46. Only 7 /154 patients had side effects: 1 patient suffered in
dermatitis, 5 had slight diarrhoea and 1 had vomiting. In the
immuncompromised patients the switch therapy with ceftibutene was effective
in 26/32 patients (in case of iv. therapy the ratio was 18/25).
Conclusion: The orally administered
ceftibutene is effective and well tolerable in treatment of the upper
respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections. In certain cases
(patients in good condition), ceftibutene can be used for immuncompromised
patients with fever and neutropenia. Furthermore the costs of the therapy
and the hospitalization of the patients might be decreased.