Once-a-day therapy for sinusitis: a comparison study of cefixime and amoxicillin.
The efficacy and safety of a once-a-day antibiotic in the treatment of sinusitis was studied. Two randomly assigned groups were treated with either once-a-day cefixime, a third generation cephalosporin, or amoxicillin three times a day. One hundred and fourteen patients were evaluated with antral punctures, microbiologic evaluation, and radiographic studies. Cultures revealed 40% gram-negative organisms, 48% gram-positive, and 12% anaerobes. The most common bacteria were Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and viridans group streptococci. Ninety-four percent of the cefixime group were cured compared with 96% of the amoxicillin group. Staphylococcus resistance was a problem in both groups, necessitating an occasional change to amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium in the amoxicillin group. Once-a-day antibiotics offer the potential for improved compliance in the treatment of sinusitis. Cefixime offers an additional benefit of covering beta-lactamase producing strains of bacteria which are increasing in incidence and resistant to many penicillins.
Edelstein
D R
DR
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, New York, NY 10021.
Avner
S E
SE
Chow
J M
JM
Duerksen
R L
RL
Johnson
J
J
Ronis
M
M
Rybak
L P
LP
Bierman
W C
WC
Matthews
B L
BL
Kohlbrenner
V M
VM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002214:Capsules; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002214:Capsules; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime