In a nutshell
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of levofloxacin (Levaquin) in preventing fever due to low white blood cells due to chemotherapy. This study concluded that oral levofloxacin reduced rates of febrile neutropenia.
Some background
Acute myeloid leukemia patients (AML) can experience complications associated with chemotherapy. One complication is neutropenia, or low levels of a type of white blood cell. Febrile neutropenia (FN) is the development of a fever in a patient with neutropenia.
Levofloxacin is an antibiotic which can be used to prevent FN. Whether levofloxacin could help to prevent FN after consolidation chemotherapy (treatment to kill any remaining cancer cells) was unclear.
Methods & findings
This study examined the records of 100 patients with AML. 50% of patients were treated with levofloxacin (group 1) and 50% were not (group 2). Rates of hospital readmission due to FN were measured.
After the first consolidation cycle, 42% of patients from group 1 were readmitted to the hospital due to. 72% of group 2 were readmitted due to FN.
51.4% of group 1 were readmitted to the hospital after all consolidation cycles. 67% of group 2 were readmitted.
The bottom line
This study concluded that oral levofloxacin was associated with reduced rates of febrile neutropenia.
The fine print
Larger studies need to be carried out.
What’s next?
Consult your physician for more information about levofloxacin.
Published By :
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Date :
Nov 23, 2017
