Efficacy of cefixime in the treatment of acute otitis media in children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of cefixime with amoxicillin in the treatment of acute otitis media in children.


METHODS
Randomized, nonblinded study.


METHODS
General pediatric clinic at a university hospital in Texas.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 201 children, aged 2 months through 6 years.


METHODS
A 10-day oral course of cefixime (8 mg/kg per day administered once daily) or amoxicillin (40 mg/kg per day administered in three divided doses [every 8 hours]).


RESULTS
Tympanocentesis for bacterial culture was performed on all affected ears on enrollment and after 4 to 6 days of therapy. The patients were evaluated clinically 4 to 6 days after starting therapy, at the end of therapy, and 3 to 4 weeks after therapy was completed. Using Fisher's Exact Test, no significant difference was found between the two treatment groups for rate of clinical improvement or rate of eradication of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, combining the results from this study and two previously reported studies, cefixime was found to be more effective in eradication of H influenzae and less effective in eradication of S pneumoniae.
Owen
M J
MJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0319.
Anwar
R
R
Nguyen
H K
HK
Swank
P R
PR
Bannister
E R
ER
Howie
V M
VM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013781:Texas; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime