The safety of cefuroxime and gentamicin in patients with reduced renal function

Summary

The glomerular and tubular function of 7 patients with a spectrum of renal impairment was measured before, during and after 4-days' treatment with cefuroxime and gentamicin. Neither the mean plasma urea nor creatinine concentrations of the group increased after combined treatment, nor was the excretion of cefuroxime slowed. The ability to acidify and to concentrate the urine did not change. In only 1 patient did plasma creatinine increase and GFR fall. This patient had an unexpectedly high plasma gentamicin concentration and was taking frusemide. However, an eighth patient with acute renal failure caused by bacteraemic shock rapidly recovered renal function while being treated with cefuroxime and gentamicin for 15 days after large doses of frusemide intravenously. This limited study suggests that the useful combination of cefuroxime and gentamicin need not be denied to patients with reduced renal function, but emphasizes that the plasma gentamicin concentration must always be monitored.