Vol.60 No.5 September 2012
The clinical effects of meropenem 1 g three times per day on febrile neutropenia patients with hematological malignancies
First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Yoshidagun Eiheijicho, Fukui, Japan
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia(FN) is a very important cause of mortality in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy. In 2010, meropenem(MEPM) 3 g per day was approved for the treatment of FN in Japan, however, reports on the 3 g usage of MEPM in Japanese patients are as yet inadequate.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of MEPM 1 g three times a day as empirical monotherapy for FN in hematological patients.
METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study involved inpatients at Fukui University Hospital. Fifty-six patients received 3 g MEPM from January 2010 to January 2011. The mean age was 64.2. The underlying diseases were acute leukemia in 33 cases, malignant lymphoma in 15 and myelodysplastic syndrome in 8.
RESULTS: The response rate was 80% (excellent response: 62%, good response: 18%, minor response: 16%, no response: 4%). The febrile duration was on average 4.18 days. Treatment did not need to be discontinued or interrupted due to adverse events in any of the patients.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that MEPM 1 g three times per day is a useful and tolerable therapy in Japanese FN patients.
Key word
febrile neutropenia, meropenem, empiric therapy
Received
February 14, 2012
Accepted
May 24, 2012
Jpn. J. Chemother. 60 (5): 549-552, 2012
