Ceftriaxone versus cefotaxime in the treatment of septicemia in adults.

Two potent third-generation cephalosporins with similar antibacterial spectra but different pharmacokinetics were compared in patients suffering from septicemia due to different organismus. Sixty patients with a variety of underlying diseases were included in the study. They received either 2-4 g ceftriaxone (active ingredient of Rocephin) once a day or 2 g cefotaxime every 8 h for 10-15 days. Our data confirm that a single dose of 2 g ceftriaxone should be sufficient to treat septicemia.