INTRAVENOUS AMPICILLIN SULBACTAM VERSUS CEFUROXIME AXETIL IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED LOWER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS/

The efficacy and tolerability of ampicillin/sulbactam versus cefuroxim e axetil administered intravenously in the treatment of community-acqu ired lower respiratory tract infections in patients requiring hospital ization were assessed in a randomized study. A total of 103 adult pati ents were enrolled, with 49 receiving ampicillin/sulbactam and 54 rece iving cefuroxime. twenty-five of the 49 patients in the ampicillin/sul bactam group and 22 of the 54 patients in the cefuroxime axetil group were included in the statistical analyses. No statistically significan t differences were observed between the two groups with regard to demo graphics or clinical, radiologic, and bacteriologic response rates. Th ere was no apparent difference in the incidence of adverse effects.