The efficacy, safety and tolerance of imipenem/cilastatin and moxalactam were compared in a randomized trial in the United States involving 19 centers and 441 patients. Significantly more organisms were susceptible to imipenem than moxalactam. Although the bacteriological outcomes were similar, the clinical outcome was significantly better in the imipenem/cilastatin treatment group. The incidence of colonization and superinfection was similar in both groups. Moxalactam was less irritating at the site of injection than imipenem/cilastatin. The safety profiles were similar except for bleeding episodes in the moxalactam group.
The following investigators participated in this study: A. Berkeley, S. Berman, A. Cohen, R. Condon, L. Eron, D. Eschenbach, F. Fass, R. Fekety, E. Freimer, C. Kallick, W. Karney, R. Meyer, B. Meyers, J. Rahal, W. Rambo, C. Rice, G. Simon, L. Strausbaugh, and F. Tally.