A Study Comparing Safety and Efficacy of Levofloxacin and Metronidazole Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Treating Complicated Appendicitis

Sponsor

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (Industry)

Overall Status

Terminated

CT.gov ID

NCT00236912

Collaborator

PriCara, Unit of Ortho-McNeil, Inc. (Industry)

139

Enrollment

14.1

Duration (Months)

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of two treatment regimens in treating patients with complicated appendicitis. Appendicitis requires antibiotic treatment when the appendix ruptures (complicated appendicitis). This is a study comparing intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy of levofloxacin/metronidazole versus piperacillin/tazobactam for 4 to 14 days. Patients may be switched to oral therapy after 48 hours, at the doctor's discretion.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Appendicitis	Drug: levofloxacin; metronidazole	Phase 4

Detailed Description

Appendicitis may be classified as uncomplicated (the appendix has not ruptured) or complicated (the appendix has ruptured or gangrene has begun). Typically all patients with complicated appendicitis are treated with intravenous (IV, through a vein) antibiotic therapy. This is a multicenter, open-label, randomized study of patients who have complicated appendicitis. Prior to surgery, patients will be randomized to either the levofloxacin/metronidazole IV group (given once daily) or the piperacillin/tazobactam IV group (given 4 times daily) and will be started on study drug. Patients who are confirmed during surgery to have complicated appendicitis, will continue to receive study drug to complete a total of 4-14 days of therapy. Those found to have uncomplicated appendicitis will stop taking study drug and be discontinued from the study. Patients may be switched after 48 hours to oral therapy, at the doctor's discretion. Patients randomized to levofloxacin/metronidazole will be switched to oral levofloxacin/metronidazole given once daily. Patients randomized to piperacillin/tazobactam will be switched to oral amoxicillin/clavulanate acid given twice daily. While in the hospital, daily assessments will be made of the patient for clinical signs and symptoms of post-operative wound infection. In addition, temperature, vital signs, pertinent physical findings, white blood count (until normal), and tests for infection will be assessed daily while in the hospital. Wound assessments and laboratory tests will be performed on the last visit as an outpatient. The main objective of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the regimen containing levofloxacin and metronidazole compared with the regimen of piperacillin/tazobactam in the treatment of complicated appendicitis.

Levofloxacin 750 mg IV (through a vein) or orally then metronidazole 1500 milligrams IV (or tablet form by mouth) once daily for 4 to 14 days; or piperacillin/tazobactam 3.375 grams IV every 6 hours (or amoxicillin/clavulanate acid 875/125 milligram tablets by mouth every 12 hours) for 4 to 14 days

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

139 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Masking:

None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

A Multi-center, Open-label, Randomized Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Once Daily Levofloxacin Along With Once Daily Metronidazole Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam in the Treatment of Complicated Appendicitis

Study Start Date :

Jul 1, 2003

Actual Study Completion Date :

Sep 1, 2004

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Clinical success at the post-therapy visit; safety by adverse events. []

Secondary Outcome Measures

Clinical and microbiologic response at post-therapy and post-study; costs associated with care. []

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

Two or more symptoms of acute appendicitis for at least 24 hours or radiologic evidence of complicated appendicitis
Able to take medicine orally after recovering from surgery
If female, using birth control

Exclusion Criteria:

History of allergy to any study medication
Life expectancy < 72 hours
APACHE II (health) score > 25
Neutropenic (low white blood cell count)
HIV positive with current or past CD4 count < 200/mm^3
Low platelet count (bleeds easily)
Malnourished with low albumin
Condition requiring use of major tranquilizers

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
PriCara, Unit of Ortho-McNeil, Inc.

Investigators

Study Director: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. Clinical Trial, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.