title: Efficacy and tolerability of azithromycin versus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in acute purulent exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.
abstract: An open randomized trial was conducted in 142 hospitalized and out-patients with acute purulent exacerbation of chronic bronchitis to compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of azithromycin (n = 69) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (n = 73). Azithromycin (500 mg) was administered as a single dose for three days and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin 875 mg-clavulanic acid 125 mg) was given b.i.d. for 8 days (8.16 +/- 1.18). Before therapy and 24-48 hours after the end of treatment, sputum culture (by positioning five orthodontal swabs at the opening of salivary gland ducts after a washing of the oral cavity with sterile saline solution to avoid oral contamination), chest X-rays, arterial blood gas analysis, trials of respiratory functions and routine blood tests were performed. In the azithromycin group (69 patients) the efficacy rate was 67.6% (46 patients: 34 cured and 12 improved); in 22 patients (32.4%) the treatment failed; 1 patient was not evaluated because of no follow-up. The overall efficacy rate in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (73 patients) was 97.3% (71 patients: 60 cured and 11 improved); in 1 patient (1.4%) the treatment failed and 1 patient was a drop-out for side effects. All pathogens isolated before treatment were susceptible to the antibiotics administered. At the end of treatment microbiological efficacy was 67.1% in the azithromycin group and 98.6% in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group. The tolerability was judged good in both treatment groups. Side effects were observed in 1 patient treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (diarrhea), which imposed interruption of treatment, and in 2 patients from the azithromycin group (gastralgia and biochemical laboratory tests: renal function).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Pneumology Dept., S. Corona Hospital, Garbagnate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beghi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carratù
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casalini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Consigli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Antò
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paizis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaghi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017963:Azithromycin