CEFPROZIL VERSUS CEFUROXIME AXETIL IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE SINUSITIS

The objective of this multicentre, randomised, open-label, general pra ctice (GP) study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cefp rozil (Cefzil(TM) Bristol-Myers Squibb) compared with that of cefuroxi me axetil (Ceftin(R), Glaxo Wellcome) in the treatment of adult subjec ts with acute sinusitis. Typical of the GP setting, diagnosis was made based solely on clinical signs and symptoms of acute disease. Sinus r adiography was performed post-randomisation. A total of 381 adolescent and adult patients were randomly assigned to 10 days' treatment with either cefprozil, 500mg orally twice daily (n = 191), or cefuroxime ax etil, 250mg orally twice daily (n = 190). Based on predefined criteria , treatments were found to be equally effective in terms of proportion s of patients in the per-protocol population that were cured, improved or failed (p = 0.20). Similar results were observed when the evaluati on was performed on the subset of patients with radiographic evidence of sinusitis and when the evaluation was based on the investigator's j udgement. Similar rates of adverse events were observed in the two tre atment groups. In summary, cefprozil 500mg twice daily is as well tole rated and as effective as cefuroxime axetil 250mg twice daily for the treatment of adolescent and adult patients with clinical signs and sym ptoms of acute sinusitis.