title: Efficacy of clarithromycin vs. amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis.
abstract: A new macrolide drug, clarithromycin (Biaxin) was compared with amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) in a single-blind (investigator-blind), randomized, multicenter study of 497 outpatients with acute maxillary sinusitis; treatment was 500 mg clarithromycin bid (n = 246) or 500 mg amoxicillin/clavulanate tid (n = 251). Pathogens included Streptococcus pneumoniae in 22% of patients, Staphylococcus aureus in 16%, Haemophilus influenzae in 10%, and Moraxella catarrhalis in 7%. For evaluable patients, clinical success (cure or improvement) was noted for 97% (128/132) of clarithromycin recipients and 93% (119/128) amoxicillin/clavulanate recipients. Clinically significant improvement in signs and symptoms was comparable between groups. Bacteriologic cure rates were 87% (115/132) and 90% (115/128), respectively. Respective pathogen eradication rates were 87% (125/143) and 90% (125/139). Adverse events not due to concurrent conditions occurred in 41% of the former and 46% of the latter group; most were mild to moderate gastrointestinal upsets (21% and 38%, respectively; P < 0.001). We conclude that clarithromycin appears to be as effective as amoxicillin/clavulanate in acute maxillary sinusitis and may cause fewer gastrointestinal upsets.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Hotel-Dieu, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saint-Pierre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017291:Clarithromycin