Ceftazidime sodium carbonate versus ceftazidime arginine as empirical monotherapy in febrile neutropenic patients.

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of ceftazidime sodium carbonate versus a new arginine formulation of ceftazidime as empirical monotherapy in 100 febrile neutropenic patients. The clinical cure rate for ceftazidime sodium carbonate was 91% and for ceftazidime arginine 83%. Forty-two infections could be confirmed bacteriologically. Bacteriological cure rates were 87% and 81% respectively. Only one fatal infection-related outcome occurred during the first three days of therapy (ceftazidime arginine, Corynebacterium parvum). No failures were recorded in bacteriologically proven gram-negative infections. Ceftazidime was confirmed to be safe and effective as empirical monotherapy in febrile neutropenic patients. The arginine formulation is as effective and safe as the sodium carbonate formulation, but easier to handle.