Comparative efficacy and safety of 5-day cefaclor and 10-day amoxycillin treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children.
A total of 384 children with group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis were randomized to receive either 40 mg/kg/day of cefaclor in two doses for 5 days (192 patients), or 40 mg/kg/day of amoxycillin in three doses for 10 days (192 patients). The signs and symptoms of pharyngitis were recorded and throat cultures were obtained at presentation and on days 6-7, 11-15, 16-20 and 28-35. Patient compliance was significantly higher in the children treated with cefaclor (100 vs. 95.1%; P = 0.003). At the end of follow-up, the percentage of clinical success was 91.4% for cefaclor and 91.9% for amoxycillin (P = 0.974); bacteriological success was obtained in 85.7 and 89.6% children (P = 0.348), respectively. Both treatments were well-tolerated with adverse event rates of 8.3% in the cefaclor group and 9.4% in the amoxcillin group (P = 0.857). Our study shows that five days' treatment with cefaclor is as effective and safe as the conventional 10-day course of amoxycillin in the treatment of GABHS pharyngitis, but compliance seems to be significantly greater.
Esposito
Susanna
S
Pediatric Department I, University of Milan, Via Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Marchisio
Paola
P
Bosis
Samantha
S
Droghetti
Roberta
R
Mattina
Roberto
R
Principi
Nicola
N
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002433:Cefaclor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy
D002433:Cefaclor; D000658:Amoxicillin