OCTOBER 20, 2021

When Is It Safe to Stop ABx for Febrile Neutropenia?

By Karen Blum

It may be safe to discontinue or deescalate antibiotics in some cancer patients who develop febrile neutropenia (FN) before the condition resolves, but guidelines and studies are not yet fully conclusive, a panel of speakers said during the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association’s 2021 virtual annual conference. Presenters offered evidence for and against early discontinuation of antibiotics.

Marked by fever and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 500 cells/mm3, FN