title: Comparison of clarithromycin suspension and amoxycillin syrup for the treatment of children with pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis.
abstract: Twenty-three general practices in the UK randomised 229 paediatric patients (aged 1-12 years, body weight > 8 kg) with clinical evidence suggestive of streptococcal tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis in this physician-blind study. Patients received either clarithromycin suspension (7.5 mg/kg twice daily) or amoxycillin syrup (125 mg/kg three times daily body weight < 25 kg, or 250 mg/kg three times daily body weight 25 kg) for 7 days and were followed up 3-8 days post treatment and 21-28 days later. Clinical and microbiological assessments were made at each visit. A total of 189 patients (98 on clarithromycin and 91 on amoxycillin) were clinically evaluable. At the post-treatment visit, clinical success rates were high and comparable: 98% on clarithromycin and 97% on amoxycillin. Streptococcus pyogenes was eradicated in 88% of clarithromycin patients and 86% of amoxycillin patients. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, clarithromycin suspension was as safe and at least as effective as amoxycillin syrup for the treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in children, and would be a suitable alternative therapy.
authors.affiliation: Richmond Medical Centre, Sheffield.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Kearsley
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kamdar
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Coles
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D017291:Clarithromycin