Fixed Combinations of Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

A detailed review is offered of the claims that are put forward for the use of penicillin-sulfonamides, penicillin-streptomycin, and certain other fixed combinations of antimicrobial agents. The judgments presented are based upon an extensive review of the literature, and a roster of pertinent references is appended. It is the opinion of the five panels that the penicillin-sulfonamide and penicillin-streptomycin combinations are “ineffective as fixed dose combinations.” This means that, although the individual active ingredients may be useful in specific disease entities, no greater effectiveness can be expected for the combination than for any one ingredient. The report also considers the adverse effect of such fixed combinations on the practice of medicine. It is the judgment of the five panels on anti-infective drugs that the use of these fixed combinations should be discontinued and that the physician should use the individual components according to his best clinical judgment and laboratory information.