Phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics. A comparative study of erythromycin versus clarithromycin

• Published in: Medicina clínica Vol. 116; no. 4; p. 133
• Main Authors: de Dios García-Díaz, J, Santolaya Perrín, R, Paz Martínez Ortega, M, Moreno-Vázquez, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 03.02.2001
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Clarithromycin - administration & dosage; Clarithromycin - adverse effects; Erythromycin - administration & dosage; Erythromycin - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infusions, Intravenous - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Phlebitis - epidemiology; Phlebitis - etiology; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0025-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-7753(01)71748-4

To know and to compare the incidence of phlebitis due to intravenous administration of macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin. Non-randomized prospective study of consecutive patients who were diagnosed of community pneumonia and treated with intravenous macrolides (19 with erythromycin and 25 with clarithromycin). The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in patients treated with erythromycin was 78.9% (incidence rate of 0.40 episodes/patient-day) and in those treated with clarithromycin 76% (incidence rate of 0.35 episodes/patient-day). The risk of phlebitis is high and similar with intravenous administration of both macrolides.