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Adverse effects of methicillin, nafcillin and oxacillin in pediatric patients

Developmental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|January 1, 1982
PubMed

Insights

Adverse effects of methicillin, nafcillin, and oxacillin in pediatric patients were monitored. Most adverse reactions like eosinophilia and neutropenia were reversible upon drug discontinuation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Clinical Toxicology

Background:

  • Penicillinase-resistant penicillins (methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin) are crucial for treating Staphylococcus infections.
  • Understanding their adverse effects in pediatric populations is essential for safe clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate the adverse effects of methicillin, nafcillin, and oxacillin in pediatric patients.
  • To monitor hematologic, hepatic, and renal functions during therapy with these antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 68 pediatric patients (newborns to 18 years).
  • Monitoring of hematologic, liver, and renal function tests before and during antibiotic therapy.
  • Specific adverse events recorded included eosinophilia, neutropenia, and elevated liver enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Methicillin: 3/28 patients developed eosinophilia.
  • Nafcillin: 2/32 patients had neutropenia, 3/32 had eosinophilia, 1/32 had elevated liver enzymes.
  • Oxacillin: 1/8 patients developed neutropenia, 1/8 had elevated liver enzymes.
  • All observed abnormalities were reversible after discontinuing the antibiotic therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Methicillin, nafcillin, and oxacillin can cause reversible adverse effects in pediatric patients.
  • Regular laboratory monitoring is recommended to detect potential adverse reactions during treatment with these penicillinase-resistant penicillins.

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