Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily therapy with telithromycin for 5 or 10 days for the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and tolerability of oral telithromycin 800 mg once daily for 5 vs. 10 days were assessed in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS).


METHODS
Adults (n = 341) with confirmed AMS diagnosed on clinical signs and symptoms and sinus X-ray showing total opacity or air-fluid level were randomized to receive oral telithromycin for 5 days (followed by placebo for 5 days; n = 170) or 10 days (n = 171). Causative pathogens were isolated by pretreatment sinus puncture (day 1). Clinical and bacteriologic outcomes, and safety and tolerability endpoints were assessed.


RESULTS
Clinical cure rates post-therapy (per-protocol; days 17-21) were comparable (91.1% in the 5-day group, n = 123; 91.0% in the 10-day group, n = 133). Bacteriologic eradication rates (per-protocol) were also similar (90.7 vs. 91.3%). Both regimens were well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5-day course of telithromycin 800 mg once daily is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for adults with AMS, comparable to a 10-day regimen.
Roos
K
K
Lundby Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Kristian.Roos@lundbysjukhus.se
Brunswig-Pitschner
C
C
Kostrica
R
R
Pietola
M
M
Leroy
B
B
Rangaraju
M
M
Boutalbi
Y
Y
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides; C106791:telithromycin