The safety of azithromycin in the treatment of adults with community-acquired respiratory tract infections.
The comparative safety of azithromycin was assessed in adult patients (> or =12 years) with community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Of 3229 patients evaluated, 1616 received azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 3 days and 1613 received standard regimens of amoxycillin, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, cefaclor, clarithromycin, or roxithromycin. A similar incidence of treatment-related adverse events occurred with azithromycin (10.3%) and comparators (11.5%). Significantly fewer patients were withdrawn from azithromycin than comparator treatment (0.4 versus 2.1%; P=0.0001). Most adverse events were mild/moderate in intensity and affected the gastrointestinal system. Azithromycin was as well tolerated as other antibiotics commonly used for bacterial infections in adults.
Treadway
Glenda
G
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group, Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017-5755, USA. treadg2@pfizer.com
Pontani
Dennis
D
Reisman
Arlene
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D017963:Azithromycin