Clinical efficacy of azithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections.
A total of 51 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia were enrolled: 27 treated with azithromycin (500 mg once a day for 3 days), and 24 with roxithromycin (150 mg every 12 hours for 7 days). The two regimens were equally effective, with clinical cure in 80% and 72% of patients respectively. Bacteriological eradication on day 19-23 was obtained in 7/11 cases (64%) and in 6/13 cases (46%) in the two groups, respectively. No side effects occurred in patients treated with azithromycin, while they occurred in the roxithromycin group (2 vomiting and 1 gastritis). Clinical and bacteriological efficacy, excellent tolerability, simplified dosage (single daily dose) and short-course (3 days) therapeutic regimen make azithromycin, in our experience, efficacious for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia.
Pneumology Division, Ospedale Maggiore, USSL 25, Verona, Italy.
G
G
Morandini
M
M
Perduca
G
G
Zannini
M P
MP
Foschino
G
G
Miragliotta
N S
NS
Carnimeo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017963:Azithromycin; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015575:Roxithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015575:Roxithromycin; D004917:Erythromycin; D017963:Azithromycin