Double-blind comparison of phlebitis produced by cefazolin versus cephalothin

Side effects of cephalosporins

Cephalosporins generally cause few side effects. Hypersensitivity reactions are less common than with the penicillins and modern studies have presented data contradicting a true cross-reactivity to cephalosporins in patients who have previously reacted to penicillins. Other hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins include fever, arthralgia and exanthema observed in two clusters of children who had been given cefaclor. Nephrotoxicity is not a problem with modern cephalosporins, although slight reductions of renal function have been seen when high doses of ceftazidime were used. Some of the new cephalosporins have a 3-methyl thiotetrazole side-chain, a moiety which confers a risk of reduced synthesis of prothrombin with subsequent risk of bleeding, and of disulfiram-like reactions in patients consuming alcohol following a cephalosporin dose. Other cephalosporins, e.g. ceftriaxone and cefoperazone, are excreted not only via the kidneys but also via the bile. This leads to high biliary concentrations of the active drug, increasing the risk of diarrhoea which may be caused by selection of cytotoxin-producing strains of Clostridium difficile. Laboratory adverse reactions to cephalosporins are rare. Eosinophilia and thrombocytosis are commonly reported, but are most probably not adverse reactions but signs of healing of the infections treated. Other haematological reactions have been reported in very few patients and have been rapidly reversible when treatment was stopped.

Local and Gastrointestinal reactions to intravenously administered cefoxitin and cefuroxime

Side effects of cefoxitin and cefuroxime were noted in 2 different studies during intravenous treatment for at least 14 days. In the cefoxitin group of 33 patients thrombophlebitis was observed in 3 cases and diarrhoea in 4 cases. In the cefuroxime group of 31 patients 1 case of thrombophlebitis was noted and 5 cases of diarrhoea occurred. Most patients with diarrhoea had decreased renal function or received higher dosage of the antibodies than the other patients.

Comparative incidence of phlebitis due to buffered cephalothin, cephapirin, and cefamandole

Buffered cephalothin, cefamandole, and cephapirin were compared with respect to their tendency to produce phlebitis. Two grams of each agent was administered every 6 h for 4 days to 12 healthy volunteers in a double-blind crossover fashion. Approximately 50% of intravenous sites developed mild (grade 1) phlebitis and 25% developed moderate (grade 2) phlebitis. The frequency of grade 1 inflammation did not differ significantly among the three cephalosporins. The proportion of individuals eventually exhibiting grade 2 phelebitis was highest with cefamandole, lowest with cephalothin (P = 0.07), and intermediate with cephapirin; however, cephapirin required a substantially greater number of doses to produce grade 2 phelebitis than did the other two drugs. These findings, together with the results of other reports, suggest that interpretation of the phlebitogenic potential of these antibiotics must be made with caution.