Is treatment of acute otitis media with once-a-day amoxicillin feasible? Results of a pilot study.
We report a study of the feasibility of once-a-day amoxicillin to treat acute otitis media (AOM). Seventy-seven children between ages 7 months and 12 years with AOM participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day for 10 days. They were similar in age, sex, history of ear infections, and presenting symptoms. Group I received one total dose of amoxicillin and two doses of placebo daily. Group II received three divided doses of amoxicillin daily. Parents kept a daily diary of symptoms related to the child's illness and possible medication side effects. Ten children were lost to follow-up. In the remaining 67, pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry after 10 to 14 days revealed that AOM had resolved in 82% of group I and 68% of group II. Groups showed no significant differences in persistence of middle ear effusion; 39% in group I and 24% in group II still had fluid. Diaries showed no significant differences between groups in medication side effects. Thus, reduced-frequency dosing for AOM seems feasible and more realistic than current regimens.
Murph
J R
JR
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1083.
Dusdieker
L B
LB
Booth
B
B
Murph
W E
WE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000658:Amoxicillin