Comparison of spiramycin and clarithromycin for community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections

This open multicentre study compared the efficacy and tolerability of clari thromycin and spiramycin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infect ions in Brazil and Colombia. A total of 125 patients with a clinical and ra diological diagnosis of pneumonia, acute bronchitis or exacerbation of chro nic bronchitis were randomised to receive oral doses of either clarithromyc in (500 mg) or spiramycin (3 MIU) every 12 hours for courses of 5-10 days. Patients were assessed before the start of treatment, and at days 3-4 and d ays 9-17. Twenty-six (26) patients (16 in the spiramycin group and 10 in th e clarithromycin group) reported adverse events, seven of whom withdrew fro m the trial. Statistical analysis detected no significant differences betwe en efficacy (p=0.768) or tolerability (p=0.236) for the two treatment group s. Spiramycin therefore has similar efficacy to clarithromycin in the treat ment of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections.