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J A Romankiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to J A Romankiewicz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Vasoactive agents.

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Catecholamines↗

Comparative study of diarrhea associated with clindamycin and ampicillin therapy.

The incidence of diarrhea associated with clindamycin and ampicillin was studied prospectively among 606 adult inpatients during a 12-month period. Clindamycin was administered to 288 patients of whom 145 received clindamycin in combination with ampicillin. A comparable group of 318 patients received ampicillin alone. Underlying diseases, diets and medications other than antibiotics studied were implicated in the etiology of diarrhea in 25--40% of patients. The incidence of diarrhea due to ampicillin and clindamycin was 3.8 and 4.2%, respectively (P greater than 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea in patients who received both drugs was 9.0% (P less than 0.05). Diarrhea which developed after completion of antibiotic therapy was two-to-three fold longer in duration than that which occurred during drug administration. This finding underscores the necessity to follow patients closely for at least four to six weeks after receiving such medications.

Adolescent↗

Prophylaxis against ampicillin-associated diarrhea with a lactobacillus preparation.

The efficacy of a lactobacillus preparation (Lactinex) in preventing ampicillin-associated diarrhea in adult inpatients was studied. In a double-blind procedure, 98 patients were assigned randomly to receive one packet of Lactinex (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L bulgaricus) or placebo four times daily for the first five days of ampicillin therapy. Cases of diarrhea were reviewed independently and classified according to etiology. Complete data were obtained for 79 patients--43 received placebo and 36 received Lactinex. Diarrhea occurred in nine (21%) patients receiving placebo and in three (8.3%) patients receiving Lactinex; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.21, Fisher's Exact Test). When the patients with diarrhea unrelated to ampicillin were excluded (50%), the incidence of ampicillin-induced diarrhea in the placebo group (14%) was significantly greater (p = 0.03, Fisher's Exact Test) than in the Lactinex group (0%). Prophylactic administration of lactobacillus preparations may be effective in preventing ampicillin-induced diarrhea; however, prophylactic administration appears to be justified, on a cost/benefit basis, only in patients with a history of antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

Adult↗