title: Short-course cefuroxime axetil therapy in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of a five-day course of cefuroxime axetil (250 mg b.d.) and a seven-day course of clarithromycin (250 mg b.d.) were compared in a large double-blind, randomised, multinational study involving 684 patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the post-treatment clinical responses to each treatment were comparable (82%) and rates at follow-up were similar: 64% on cefuroxime axetil and 61% on clarithromycin. Pre-treatment pathogens were isolated from a total of 192 patients, Haemophilus influenzae being the most common. Overall pathogen eradication rates were similar for both treatments. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, a five-day course of cefuroxime axetil is clinically equivalent to a seven-day course of clarithromycin in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and may have potential socioeconomic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medical Education, University of Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clecner
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Staley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D017291:Clarithromycin; D002444:Cefuroxime