A randomized controlled trial comparing amoxicillin and azithromycin for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to compare the efficacy of azithromycin with that o f amoxicillin for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection during p regnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial of pregnant women with cervical C trachomatis infection receiving care at two inner-city, university-based prenatal clinics. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either oral amoxicillin, 500 mg, three times daily for 7 days, or oral azithromyci n, 1 g, in a single dose. Partners were referred for treatment. Tests of cu re were scheduled 4 weeks after initiation of treatment. Statistical analys is was performed by using the Student t test and chi (2) analysis. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine pregnant women were enrolled, and 110 (85% ) completed the protocol. There was similar treatment efficacy between amox icillin and azithromycin (58% vs 64%, respectively, P = .56). In the amoxic illin group 3 women (5.5%) were intolerant, compared with 6 (10.9%) in the azithromycin group(P = .31). CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin and azithromycin are equally efficacious in the tre atment of cervical C trachomatis during pregnancy.