Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone, a review

Duncan, C.J.A., Barr, D.A. and Seaton, R.A. (2012) Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone, a review. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 34(3), pp. 410-417. (doi: 10.1007/s11096-012-9637-z)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-012-9637-z

Abstract

BACKGROUND:<br/> More than 30 years since it was developed for clinical use, the third-generation cephalosporin ceftriaxone remains the most commonly used agent for outpatient parental antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Recent antimicrobial stewardship programmes have tended to restrict ceftriaxone use in hospitals to control antibiotic resistance and outbreaks of Clostridium difficle infection (CDI). Considering the expansion of OPAT programmes both in the UK and worldwide, revisiting the role of ceftriaxone in OPAT in the context of changing antimicrobial prescribing practices is timely.<br/> AIM OF THE REVIEW:<br/> To identify the evidence base for OPAT, review current and historical data on indications for, and safety of ceftriaxone within the OPAT setting, and to provide some perspectives on the future role of ceftriaxone.<br/> METHOD:<br/> We searched PubMed and Scopus for articles published in English, and hand searched reference lists. We also conducted a complementary descriptive analysis of prospectively acquired data on the use of ceftriaxone in more than 1,300 OPAT episodes over a 10-year period in our UK centre.<br/> RESULTS:<br/> Ceftriaxone has an excellent safety profile in the OPAT setting, and its broad spectrum of activity makes it an established agent in a wide range of clinical infection syndromes, such as skin and soft-tissue infection, bone and joint infection, streptococcal endocarditis and several others. Intriguingly, in contrast to the inpatient setting, liberal use of ceftriaxone in OPAT has not been strongly linked to CDI, suggesting additional patient and environmental factors may be important in mediating CDI risk.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Seaton, Dr Andrew
Authors: Duncan, C.J.A., Barr, D.A., and Seaton, R.A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Research Group:Brownlee Centre for Infection, Tropical Medicine and Counselling, Gartnaval Hospital, Glasgow
Journal Name:International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
Journal Abbr.:Int. J. Clin. Pharm.
ISSN:2210-7703
ISSN (Online):2210-7711
Published Online:17 April 2012

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record