title: Comparison of the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of clarithromycin and erythromycin in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.
abstract: The efficacy and tolerability of clarithromycin and erythromycin stearate in the treatment of documented Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis were compared in a single-centre, open, out-patient study. One hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned to each treatment group. Dosage of clarithromycin and erythromycin was 250 mg twice daily and 500 mg twice daily, respectively; each patient was given a 10-day supply of medication. Clinical success (cured or improved) was observed in 111 (96.5%) of 115 and in 108 (93.9%) of 115 clinically-evaluable patients treated with clarithromycin and erythromycin, respectively. Eradication of the pathogen occurred in 108 (97.3%) of 111 and in 98 (92.5%) of 106 bacteriologically-evaluable clarithromycin and erythromycin patients, respectively. Adverse events reported by 7 (5.8%) of the clarithromycin-treated and by 12 (10%) of the erythromycin-treated patients included epigastritis and nausea and vomiting. In general, the severity of adverse events was greater for the patients treated with erythromycin, necessitating the discontinuation of therapy in 8 (6.7%) patients treated with erythromycin as opposed to 1 (0.8%) patient treated with clarithromycin. Although clarithromycin and erythromycin were comparable in terms of efficacy, clarithromycin was better tolerated.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Scaglione
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D017291:Clarithromycin