[Comparison of 2 antibiotic combinations used for peritonitis. Cefotaxime-clindamycin versus cefotaxime-metronidazole]. / Comparaison de deux associations d'antibiotiques au cours des péritonites. céfotaxime + clindamycine versus céfotaxime + métronidazole.

In this prospective and randomized trial involving 38 patients operated upon for generalized or localized peritonitis, 2 combinations of antibiotics were assessed on the basis of 5 predetermined criteria: number of successes and failures, duration of fever, leucocytosis, antibiotic therapy and stay in hospital. No significant difference was observed between the two therapeutic groups. The spectrum of sensitive organisms and the effectiveness of treatment could be considered satisfactory whatever the combination utilized. The 86.8 percent clinical success rate suggests that the cefotaxime-clindamycin combination should be used more frequently than it is now.

Lack of interaction between disulfiram and alprazolam in alcoholic patients.

Certain interactions between disulfiram and benzodiazepines, especially diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, have previously been reported. The influence of disulfiram on the pharmacokinetics of alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine, metabolized by hepatic microsomal oxidation, has been evaluated in 11 chronic alcoholic patients (6 males, 5 females) undergoing treatment for the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Each patient received alprazolam 2 mg on the first day (control) followed by two weeks of treatment with disulfiram 0.5 g/d, and then further oral dose of alprazolam 2 mg. No significant change was found in any of the kinetic parameters. Thus, a therapeutic dose of disulfiram did not significantly alter the clearance or half-life of alprazolam in chronic alcoholic patients.