Comparison of dirithromycin and penicillin for treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.

AUTOR(ES)

Watkins, V S

RESUMO

In the treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, penicillin is the drug of choice and erythromycin is the alternative. In a double-blind, randomized study, dirithromycin, a new macrolide, was compared with penicillin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Of 121 patients who were treated with dirithromycin, 96.7% manifested a favorable clinical response, and of 136 patients treated with penicillin, 94.2% manifested a favorable clinical response. Streptococci were eradicated from the pharynges of 85.3% of 116 dirithromycin-treated patients and 82.5% of 126 penicillin-treated patients who returned for follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the two groups. The incidence of abdominal symptoms was higher in dirithromycin-treated patients. Being as efficacious as penicillin and having the advantages over erythromycin of once-daily dosing and the lack of drug interactions, dirithromycin is an alternative to penicillin in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis for patients 12 years of age and older.

Documentos Relacionados

• Randomized, single-blind evaluation of cefadroxil and phenoxymethyl penicillin in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.
• Comparison of two rapid streptococcal antigen detection assays with culture for diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.
• Reactive arthritis and group G streptococcal pharyngitis.
• Comparison of Gen-Probe Group A streptococcus Direct Test with culture for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis.
• Micronitrous acid extraction-coagglutination test for rapid diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.