The effects of cefotetan disodium on haemostasis

A 7-day course of intravenous cefotetan disodium was given to nine patients. No significant changes were observed in haematological or biochemical parameters and serum vitamin K1 levels, prothrombin times, factor VII levels, thrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times remained within the normal ranges throughout the treatment period in all patients. There was no evidence of clinical bleeding in any patient although in two the bleeding time was prolonged up to 13.0 min after 7 days' therapy. Notably, adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation responses were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) at the end of the treatment period. These data indicate that cefotetan disodium at a dose of up to 4 g daily can be used without risk of a bleeding diathesis. In situations associated with vitamin K1 deficiency, potential prolongation of the prothrombin time should be avoided by prophylactic vitamin K1 administration.