CLARITHROMYCIN 250 MG BID FOR 5 OR 10 DAYS IN THE TREATMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH PURULENT BRONCHITIS

This Phase III, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study compared t he safety and efficacy of clarithromycin, 250 mg b. i. d administered for either 5 or 10 days, in the treatment of 221 adult patients with p urulent bronchitis. Clinical evaluations were performed pre-treatment, during treatment, post-treatment, and at a follow-up visit. Both regi mens were well tolerated and effective. No significant differences wer e observed between patients treated for 5 days and those treated for 1 0 days in post-treatment, clinical success (98%, 83/85; 99%, 73/74, re spectively), or bacterial eradication (100%, 37/37; 94%, 33/35) rates, or in the number of patients reporting drug-related adverse events (1 6%, 18/112; 24%, 26/109, respectively). Clarithromycin administered fo r 5 days was at least as safe and as effective as a 10-day regimen in the treatment of purulent bronchitis.