Effects of apalcillin on platelet function in normal volunteers.

We investigated the effects of apalcillin on blood coagulation and platelet function. The drug was administered to 21 human volunteers in daily intravenous doses of 75, 150, and 225 mg/kg. These doses evoked abnormalities in platelet aggregation similar to those found with piperacillin and mezlocillin and less striking than those produced by carbenicillin and ticarcillin. Plasma coagulation as measured by prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen concentration was not affected. There were consistent and major reductions in plasma antithrombin III activity, particularly at the two higher dose levels. Of 21 patients, 7 (33%) also manifested maculopapular skin rashes which resolved after discontinuation of the drug.