title: Are antihistamine-decongestants of value in the treatment of acute otitis media in children?
abstract: Acute otitis media is the most common bacterial infection of childhood. The effectiveness of oral antihistamine-decongestant mixtures in the treatment of this illness remains controversial in clinical practice. In a double-blind randomized study, 82 children (aged under 15 years) with acute otitis media were treated with amoxicillin and either a decongestant-antihistamine mixture (Dimetapp) or placebo. All diagnoses required agreement between a family practice resident and the supervising family physician. Clinical course was assessed by symptom diaries completed by parents and by follow-up examination at approximately two weeks, which included pneumatic otoscopy. No statistically significant benefit of the antihistamine-decongestant mixture was shown in terms of resolution of the symptoms or prevention of the complications of acute otitis media. It is recommended that antihistamine-decongestants not be routinely added to an antibiotic in the treatment of acute otitis media in children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001977:Brompheniramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D011725:Pyridines; C007484:brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine drug combination; D010656:Phenylephrine; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D000658:Amoxicillin; D001977:Brompheniramine