A comparison of the efficacy of telithromycin versus cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
BACKGROUND
Telithromycin, a new ketolide, exhibits potent activity against respiratory pathogens, including resistant strains.


METHODS
Five days of telithromycin (800 mg once daily) was compared with 10 days of cefuroxime axetil (250 mg twice daily) in subjects (n = 593) with acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (ABMS). Bacteriologic sampling was accomplished by sinus puncture or nasal endoscopy. The primary efficacy variable was clinical outcome at the posttherapy/test-of-cure evaluation in clinically evaluable patients.


RESULTS
Clinical cure was achieved in 85.2% of telithromycin patients and 82.0% of cefuroxime axetil patients (difference in proportions, 3.2%; 95% confidence interval, -7.1-13.4%). Satisfactory bacteriologic response rates were comparable. Treatment-emergent adverse events for both drugs were mild or moderate. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea and diarrhea.


CONCLUSIONS
Once-daily telithromycin for 5 days was equivalent in efficacy to twice-daily cefuroxime axetil for 10 days in patients with ABMS. Telithromycin is a suitable option for short-course therapy of ABMS.
Buchanan
Patricia P
PP
River Road Medical Group, 890 River Road, Eugene, OR 97404, USA.
Stephens
Thad A
TA
Leroy
Bruno
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides; C106791:telithromycin; D002444:Cefuroxime; C040738:cefuroxime axetil