M. Nechifor 1, Diana Ciubotariu 1, Magdalena Cuciureanu 1, D. I. Chelărescu 1, Cristina Mihaela Ghiciuc 2, V. Luca 2
1 Department of Pharmacology; “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi
2 Infectious Diseases Hospital „Sfânta Parascheva”, Iaşi
Abstract
We have searched for the incidence of side eff ects of linezolid and vancomycin therapy in adult patients with sepsis, hospitalised during 2000 – 2007 in the Infectious Diseases Hospital Iaşi. In the study, we admitted patients treated with vancomycin (n=255, median dose 1g bid i.v., mean therapy duration 8.41±2.46 days) and linezolid (n=197, median dose 0.6g bid, 64.97% p.o. and 35.02% i.v., mean therapy duration 10.82±3.58 days. We have only considered patients with at least 4 days of treatment with studied antibiotics and cases with identifi ed etiologic bacteria. Main adverse reactions noticed for vancomycin were: coetaneous rash (31 cases, 12.15%), abdominal pain (18 cases, 7.05%), vomiting (10 cases, 3.92%). Phlebitis was noticed in 84 cases (32.94%). Only 1 case manifested convulsions (0.39%). Serum billirubine levels increased in 29 cases (11.37%). Main adverse reactions noticed for linezolid were: diarrhoea (12 cases, 6.09%), vomiting (8 cases, 4.06%), coetaneous rash (5 cases, 2.53%). Also, psychomotor agitation was noticed in 7 cases (3.55%). 2 patients (1.01%) presented intense cough, and this symptom was associated with prescribed antibacterial therapy. None of the cases taken into study imposed replacement of the antibacterial drug due to adverse reactions. Th e incidence of adverse reactions was signifi cantly lower in the case of linezolid vs. vancomycin, in the conditions of comparable effi cacy.