Ciprofloxacine In The Treatment Of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: A Comparative Study Against Penicillin And Chloramphenicol

• Main Author: Hood Alsagaff, Dr.
• Format: Monograph NonPeerReviewed
• Language: English
• Published: Dept. of Pulmonology, Airlangga School of Medicine 1980
• Subjects: RC705-779 Diseases of the respiratory system
• Online Access: https://repository.unair.ac.id/116685/1/R%20616.200%2046%20Als%20c2.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/116685/; http://lib.unair.ac.id
• Institution: Universitas Airlangga

A double blind, randomized, controlled study on the efficacy and safety of oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg bid.) in pneumonia as compared to the standard therapy of proc.penicillin G (600.000 U i.m. bid.) plus chioramphenicol (1 gr i.v. bid.) was done. Bacteriologic specimens were obtained by transtra¬cheal aspirations . Results : N = 80 ; Ciprofloxacin gave a 95 % suc¬cess rate, v/s 92.5 % for the control group ( no p, may be due to type II error). However to be fair the ciprofloxacin group did achieve a quicker defervescence, a shorter hospital stay and better radiological resolution. No side effects were reported in both groups. Conclusion : Ciprofloxacin is an excellent alterna¬tive against the time honored regimen of Penicillin plus Chloramphenicol in lower respiratory tract infections, given their good tissue penetration, good safety record and convenient oral use. The cost of therapy is not solely related to the purchase of the drug, but also to its route of administration. Par enteral administration will involve considerably more nursing time and supervi¬sion, translating into higher cost to the patient. Empirical treatment must be given before bacterio¬logical result are known. However without epidemio¬logical evidence of pathogens and antibiotic sensi-tivities provided by sputum cultures, there can be no best guess therapy. Nevertheless given their known bacterologic efficacy, in severe disease and in the immunocompromised host where resistant or multiple pathogens may be involved, ciprofloxacin can be an excellent choice.