Comparison of clarithromycin suspension and amoxycillin syrup for the treatment of children with pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis

Twenty-three general practices in the UK randomised 229 paediatric patients (aged 1-12 years, body weight > 8 kg) with clinical evidence suggestive of streptococcal tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis in this physician-blind study. Patients received either clarithromycin suspension (7.5 mg/kg twice da...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The British journal of clinical practice Vol. 51; no. 3; p. 133
Main Authors:	Kearsley, N L, Campbell, A, Sanderson, A A, Weir, R D, Kamdar, M K, Coles, S J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England 01-04-1997
Subjects:	Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use Child Child, Preschool Clarithromycin - therapeutic use Family Practice Female Humans Infant Male Penicillins - therapeutic use Pharyngitis - drug therapy Pharyngitis - etiology Streptococcal Infections - complications Streptococcal Infections - drug therapy Streptococcus pyogenes - drug effects Tonsillitis - drug therapy Tonsillitis - etiology Treatment Outcome
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Summary:	Twenty-three general practices in the UK randomised 229 paediatric patients (aged 1-12 years, body weight > 8 kg) with clinical evidence suggestive of streptococcal tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis in this physician-blind study. Patients received either clarithromycin suspension (7.5 mg/kg twice daily) or amoxycillin syrup (125 mg/kg three times daily body weight < 25 kg, or 250 mg/kg three times daily body weight 25 kg) for 7 days and were followed up 3-8 days post treatment and 21-28 days later. Clinical and microbiological assessments were made at each visit. A total of 189 patients (98 on clarithromycin and 91 on amoxycillin) were clinically evaluable. At the post-treatment visit, clinical success rates were high and comparable: 98% on clarithromycin and 97% on amoxycillin. Streptococcus pyogenes was eradicated in 88% of clarithromycin patients and 86% of amoxycillin patients. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, clarithromycin suspension was as safe and at least as effective as amoxycillin syrup for the treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in children, and would be a suitable alternative therapy.
ISSN:	0007-0947