SHORT-COURSE CEFUROXIME AXETIL THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC-BRONCHITIS

The efficacy and safety of a five-day course of cefuroxime axetil (250 mg b.d.) and a seven-day course of clarithromycin (250 mg b.d.) were compared in a large double-blind, randomised, multinational study invo lving 684 patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. in an intent-to-treat analysis, the post-treatment clinical responses to each treatment were comparable (82%) and rates at follow-up were simil ar: 64% on cefuroxime axetil and 61% on clarithromycin. Pre-treatment pathogens were isolated from a total of 192 patients, Haemophilus infl uenzae being the most common. Overall pathogen eradication rates were similar for both treatments. Both treatments were well tolerated. In c onclusion, a five-day course of cefuroxime axetil is clinically equiva lent to a seven-day course of clarithromycin in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and may have potential socioecon omic benefits.