A comparison of the efficacy of telithromycin versus cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.

Abstract

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.

CONCLUSION:

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.

• Authors: Patricia P Buchanan, Thad A Stephens, Bruno Leroy
• Journal: American journal of rhinology (Am J Rhinol) 2003 Nov-Dec Vol. 17 Issue 6 Pg. 369-77 ISSN: 1050-6586 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14750614 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Ketolides
• Macrolides
• telithromycin
• Cefuroxime
• cefuroxime axetil

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Cefuroxime (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Ketolides
• Macrolides (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Maxillary Sinusitis (drug therapy)
• Middle Aged