Doxycycline in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. Results of a pan-European multi-centre trial.
In the winter of 1973-4, general practitioners from seven European countries took part in a multi-centre trial of doxycycline in the treatment of infections of the respiratory tract. The carefully designed protocol was observed by all participants. A total of 1,747 patients were admitted to the trial; their ages ranged from 6 years to over 80. The commonest diagnoses (50%) were acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. On the recommended dosage of 200 mg doxycycline on the first day, followed by 100 mg daily thereafter (though 200 mg could be continued daily in severe cases), 87% of patients achieved good or very good results. Both subjective (pain) and objective (sputum volume and viscosity, temperature, cough) measures showed rapid improvement, usually by the third to fifth days. Side-effects were minimal and mainly gastrointestinal and caused only 4 patients to discontinue treatment. Overall, doxycycline proved its effectiveness and rapidity of action.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000188:drug therapy
D004318:Doxycycline