An international, randomized, open-label, comparative study was undertaken
in order to assess the efficacy and safety of azithromycin and cefuroxime,
short sequential vs standard sequential therapy, respectively, in the
treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Method:
180 adult patients were included in the study. 89 patients received
azithromycin 500 mg intravenously (i.v.) once daily for 1-4 days followed by
azithromycin 500 mg orally once daily for 3 days. 91 patients received
cefuroxime 1.5 g i.v. three times daily for 1-4 days followed by cefuroxime
axetil 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days.
Result:
Clinical efficacy was achieved in 67/82 (81.7%) patients treated with
azithromycin, and in 73/89 (82.0%) patients treated with cefuroxime. The
mean duration of total (i.v. and oral) therapy was significantly shorter for
the azithromycin group than for the cefuroxime group (6.2 days vs 10.1
days). Adverse events were recorded in 38.2% of patients treated with
azithromycin, and in 29.7% of patients treated with cefuroxime (p = 0.20).
Conclusion:
Shorter sequential i.v.-to-oral azithromycin therapy of patients with CAP
was as effective as standard sequential i.v.-to-oral cefuroxime therapy.
Reference:
J Chemother. 2005 Dec;17(6):636-42. |