title: A comparison of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of azithromycin and co-amoxiclav in the treatment of sinusitis in adults.
abstract: The efficacy, tolerability and safety of azithromycin and co-amoxiclav in the treatment of non-severe acute maxillary/ethmoidal sinusitis were compared in a randomized, open clinical trial in 254 adult patients. The predominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (83 patients). Azithromycin was administered orally to 165 patients at a single daily dose of 500 mg for 3 days, and co-amoxiclav (4:1) to 89 patients, at a dose of 500 mg three times daily for 10 days. The overall clinical response rates were 87.5% for azithromycin and 83.7% for co-amoxiclav at follow-up (day 21-28). Microbiological responses to both drugs were good, with only five patients in each group having a persistent infection after treatment. Both drugs were well tolerated and produced similar incidences of adverse events, which were mostly gastrointestinal. Azithromycin was as effective, and as well tolerated as co-amoxiclav, and its shorter simpler dosing regime may offer advantages in compliance and cost.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Academic Hospital, Free University, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: de Gandt
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015521:Ethmoid Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D017963:Azithromycin