Amoxicillin in treatment of acute uncomplicated exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study in general practice.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a broad-spectrum penicillin, amoxicillin, was superior to placebo in resolving symptoms of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in patients from general practice. 131 general practitioners included 278 patients over a period of 30 months. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment with amoxicillin 750 mg b.i.d. or corresponding placebo for 7 days. Patients with pneumonia, a temperature above 38.5 degrees C or heart rate over 100 were excluded for safety reasons. The main effect parameter--the doctors' overall evaluation of the treatment--did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between amoxicillin or placebo, 63% versus 64% of the patients. Resolution of symptoms was obtained by 19% (25/132) of the patients in the amoxicillin group compared with 10% (13/136) of the patients in the placebo group, P = 0.03. The present findings do not favour routine use of antibiotics in an attempt to improve the course of acute exacerbations as defined in this study in patients with chronic bronchitis.

• Authors: A F Jørgensen, J Coolidge, P A Pedersen, K P Petersen, S Waldorff, E Widding
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of primary health care (Scand J Prim Health Care) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 7-11 (Mar 1992) ISSN: 0281-3432 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1589668 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Amoxicillin

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Amoxicillin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bronchitis (drug therapy)
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Diseases, Obstructive (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome