Ceftriaxone plus conventional or single-daily dose amikacin versus ceftazidime/amikacin as empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic patients.

Results of antibiotic treatment in 144 febrile episodes during drug-induced granulocytopenia are reported. 63 episodes were treated with ceftazidime plus amikacin and 81 with ceftriaxone (CFX) using single daily doses combined with amikacin either divided in three doses (CFX-1 group) or administered as single doses (CFX-2 group). The response rates were 51, 80, and 57% respectively. In this study CFX was more effective than ceftazidime and amikacin provided better results when administered using the standard 8-hour scheduling.