Comparison of cefoxitin sodium and cefazolin

Cefoxitin sodium was compared to cefazolin in the treatment of infections involving pathogens believed to be susceptible to either antibiotic. Allocated on a random basis to either drug, 12 patients received cefazolin and 10 patients received cefoxitin. In the cefoxitin group, all 10 patients had a good initial clinical response and there was a good bacteriological response in all of the 9 patients who were evaluable. In the cefazolin group the bacteriologic response was good in 5 of 7 evaluable patients, and the clinical response was good in 10 of 11 patients, but there was one failure, a patient with staphylococcal bacteraemia who dicd. Relatively minor side effects were seen with both drugs. Cefoxitin and cefazolin appear to be similarly efficacious against enteric Gram-negative rods and Grampositive cocci (possibly excepting staphylococci).