Ceftizoxime in Respiratory Tract Infection in Elderly Patients

Aging is frequently associated with a number of changes that predispose to infection, including malnutrition and decreased function of the immune system and kidneys (Gladstone & Recco 1976). Additionally, the elderly are more likely to have chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer, which can necessitate concomitant administration of several drugs, with the consequent risk of pharmacological interactions and adverse effects. It is therefore important to obtain adequate data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of antibacterial agents in the elderly. This paper reports data from a subset of 120 I elderly patients who were included in a multicentre study of 2588 patients treated with ceftizoxime for acute respiratory tract infection, or infections associated with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.