Defects in hemostasis produced by antibiotics. An in vivo study in the rat.

The effect of preoperative infusion of benzylpenicillin, carbenicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and doxycycline on hemostasis after standardized liver resection was studied in the rat. Plasma levels of each antibiotic were within the range of those found after administration of therapeutic doses in man. Bleeding time was prolonged and blood loss was increased in all cases of antibiotic administration compared with controls. APT time after liver resection was prolonged in the carbenicillin- and chloramphenicol-treated groups. Platelet function, assayed by ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was impaired in benzylpenicillin-, carbenicillin- and chloramphenicol-treated animals.