5-DAY VS 10-DAY TREATMENT OF ACUTE OTITIS-MEDIA WITH CEFTIBUTEN IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

This study compared 5 and 10 days of ceftibuten in treatment of acute otitis media in 232 children 6 months to 14 years of age. Both groups received ceftibuten 9 mg/kg per day to a maximum daily dose of 400 mg. Response to therapy was determined by resolution of symptoms and abse nce of middle ear effusion. Rates of clinical success were 78% with 5 days of therapy and 97.5% with 10 days. Middle ear effusion persisted at similar rates in both groups. Following successful treatment with 5 days of ceftibuten, however, otitis media recurred at a rate nearly d ouble that seen with 10 days of antibiotic. Ten days of ceftibuten is highly effective therapy for acute otitis media.