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Biomedical subjects

R B Gainer

Publications and source records attributed to R B Gainer.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Cefprozil, a new cephalosporin: its use in various clinical trials.

Cefprozil is a new oral cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity against a wide range of aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as certain anaerobic bacteria. Cefprozil has demonstrated good stability in the presence of beta-lactamase-producing organisms, a common cause of bacterial resistance with many older beta-lactam antibiotics. The relatively long half-life of cefprozil and its sustained duration in tissue (as measured by skin blister fluid concentrations) support once- or twice-daily dosing. Cefprozil is well tolerated and has a low incidence of adverse events. A review of clinical studies that evaluated cefprozil for the treatment of otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, and urinary tract infections is presented in this article. In multicenter clinical trials, cefprozil was found to be comparable or superior to frequently prescribed antibiotics, including other cephalosporins, in terms of its safety profile and its bacteriologic and clinical response rates.

Cephalosporins↗
PubMed1991

Ceftriaxone in treatment of serious infections. Skin and soft tissue infections.

Ceftriaxone is generally recognized to be safe and effective when administered either intravenously or intramuscularly to both adults and children as a single drug for skin and skin structure infections. An advantage of ceftriaxone over the other third-generation cephalosporins is its long serum half-life, which allows it to be given every 12 hours in children and every 24 hours in most adults. There is no question that ceftriaxone is effective for skin and soft tissue infections, particularly those caused by staphylococci and streptococci. The drug's sales to home infusion companies around the country attest to its widespread use for such infections. The fact remains, however, that the data required to substantiate efficacy and safety for ceftriaxone or for any of the other third-generation cephalosporins are just not available in large numbers.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Home intravenous antimicrobial therapy provided by a community hospital and a university hospital.

A home intravenous antimicrobial program that was implemented at both a private community hospital and a university hospital with a wide rural referral base is described. Over an 18-month period, 63 patients were screened and selected for home i.v. antimicrobial management according to stringent criteria. The hospital pharmacies and two home health-care companies were used as the central points for coordinating the preparation and distribution of drug products and providing specialty nursing services. Predischarge inhospital education for each patient was conducted by a pharmacist and a nurse. On-call pharmacists and nurses were available to monitor and assist the patients, and the patients were seen regularly by physicians during the period of home therapy. The 63 patients received a total of 1108 days of home i.v. antimicrobial therapy; the mean duration of therapy was 17.6 days. Heparin-lock peripheral cannulae were used for 51 patients, while 12 patients received their treatment through central-subclavian or Hickman catheters. Home i.v. antimicrobial treatment seemed to be as effective as comparable inpatient management for each type of infection. Drug- and i.v. catheter-related adverse effects were uncommon and seemed similar in type and frequency to those of hospitalized patients. The estimated cost savings per treatment course was $3,514 for a total net savings of $221,406 over the 18-month study period. Home i.v. antimicrobial treatment programs can be successfully implemented in both community-based and tertiary-care settings. Home therapy is a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective alternative to prolonged hospitalization for a variety of infectious diseases.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1975

The spectrum of colitis associated with lincomycin and clindamycin therapy.

Ten cases of protracted diarrheal illness after the oral administration of lincomycin or clindamycin in standard dosages were observed in previously healthy subjects. An abrupt onset of diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis was observed one to 12 days after discontinuation of the drug. Proctoscopic examination revealed erythematous friable mucosa covered with small raised, yellowish-white plaques that were sometimes confluent. Barium contrast studies of the colon demonstrated irregular shaggy mucosa, ulcerations, cobblestone appearance, and thumb printing. Rectal bipsy showed acute inflammation with pseudomembranes with focal or superficial ulcerations. All patients had a protracted course but recovered with supportive management. Follow-up barium enemas and proctoscopy were done on all patients and were normal. A history of diarrhea, fever, and mucosal changes seen on proctoscopy in a patient who has recently received one of these antibiotics should raise the possibility of colitis associated with clindamycin and lincomycin therapy.

Adult↗