Related Experiment Videos
[Phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics. A comparative study of erythromycin versus
J de Dios García-Díaz1, R Santolaya Perrín, M Paz Martínez Ortega
1Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. jgarciad@hupa.insalud.es
Background:
To know and to compare the incidence of phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin.
Patients And Method:
Non-randomized prospective study of consecutive patients who were diagnosed of community pneumonia and treated with intravenous macrolides (19 with erythromycin and 25 with clarithromycin).
Results:
The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in patients treated with erythromycin was 78.9% (incidence rate of 0.40 episodes/patient-day) and in those treated with clarithromycin 76% (incidence rate of 0.35 episodes/patient-day).
Conclusions:
The risk of phlebitis is high and similar with intravenous administration of both macrolides.
Insights
The incidence of phlebitis, an inflammation of veins, is high and similar when using intravenous erythromycin or clarithromycin for community pneumonia treatment. Both macrolide antibiotics pose comparable risks for this adverse effect.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Phlebitis is a common complication associated with intravenous antibiotic therapy.
- Macrolide antibiotics, including erythromycin and clarithromycin, are frequently used to treat community-acquired pneumonia.
- Understanding the comparative incidence of phlebitis is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare the incidence of phlebitis in patients receiving intravenous erythromycin versus clarithromycin.
- To evaluate the risk of phlebitis associated with these two commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- A non-randomized prospective study was conducted.
- Consecutive patients diagnosed with community pneumonia and treated with intravenous macrolides were enrolled.
- The study included 19 patients treated with erythromycin and 25 patients treated with clarithromycin.
Main Results:
- The cumulative incidence of phlebitis was high in both treatment groups.
- Patients receiving erythromycin experienced a cumulative phlebitis incidence of 78.9% (incidence rate: 0.40 episodes/patient-day).
- Patients receiving clarithromycin had a cumulative phlebitis incidence of 76% (incidence rate: 0.35 episodes/patient-day).
Conclusions:
- Intravenous administration of both erythromycin and clarithromycin is associated with a high risk of phlebitis.
- The risk of developing phlebitis appears to be similar between erythromycin and clarithromycin when administered intravenously.