[The long-term chemotherapy with erythromycin (EM) in chronic lower respiratory tract infections--third report: clinical study of cases administered EM over 3 years].
An investigation was made of the use of EM therapy which began in 1986 or earlier in 31 cases with chronic lower respiratory tract infections. 1) Of the 20 cases in which EM (Erythromycin stearate) administration (600-1200 mg/day) was continued for 3 years or more and its usefulness could be evaluated, treatment with this agent was judged markedly effective in three, effective in 14, somewhat effective in two, and ineffective in one. This amounted to an effectiveness rate (effective or better) of 85%. 2) Improved QOL was observed in 15 of the 20 cases. 3) In the Pseudomonas infected cases, a discrepancy was seen between the effectiveness rate of 87.5% and the disappearance rate of the organism (12.5%), while in the Haemophilus cases no such discrepancy was found (75%). 4) EM administration was stopped in 11 cases because of side effects in two (stomatitis, gastrointestinal disorder) death in five, desire of the patient in three, and transfer to another hospital in one. The cause of death cases had no connection with administration of EM. 5) In the three patients who stopped EM on their own, the agent was again administered because of exacerbation of symptoms, although this readministration proved ineffective in two of the cases. The above results suggest that long term EM therapy is useful and that its continued administration is important.
Mikasa
K
K
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University.
Sawaki
M
M
Konishi
M
M
Maeda
K
K
Takeuchi
S
S
Hamada
K
K
Kunimatsu
M
M
Masutani
T
T
Sano
R
R
Kita
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors
D004917:Erythromycin