Cefpodoxime proxetil vs. penicillin V in pediatric streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis.
This multicenter, randomized, parallel treatment, observer-blinded study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cefpodoxime proxetil (5 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days) compared with penicillin V (13.4 mg/kg three times daily for 10 days) for treatment of Group A streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis in pediatric patients. Clinical and microbiologic results were evaluated before therapy, during therapy (Study Days 3 to 5), at the end of therapy (Study Days 14 to 18) and at long term follow-up (Study Days 30 to 32). Both drugs were well-tolerated in 578 patients evaluable for safety. Mild gastrointestinal complaints were noted in 6.7% of 386 cefpodoxime-treated patients and in 5.2% of 192 penicillin-treated patients. In 413 patients evaluable for efficacy, both treatment regimens resulted in comparably favorable clinical outcome; cure rates were 83.8% for 275 cefpodoxime-treated patients and 77.5% for 138 penicillin-treated patients. However, eradication of S. pyogenes at end of therapy was significantly higher with cefpodoxime (93.1%) than with penicillin (81.2%) (P < 0.01). Cefpodoxime proxetil provides an effective alternative to penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Dajani
A S
AS
Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
Kessler
S L
SL
Mendelson
R
R
Uden
D L
DL
Todd
W M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D015296:Ceftizoxime / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000097627:Cefpodoxime Proxetil
D015296:Ceftizoxime; D010404:Penicillin V; D000097627:Cefpodoxime Proxetil