International study comparing cefdinir and cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2000, Vol.4 (1), p.26-33
• Main Authors: Van Herwaarden, C.L.A., Langan, Charles E., Siemon, Gerhard, Rudolph, Claus, Keyserling, Constance H., Nemeth, Mary Anne, Tack, Kenneth J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacterial Infections - drug therapy; Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchitis - drug therapy; Bronchitis - microbiology; cefdinir; cefuroxime; Cefuroxime - therapeutic use; Cephalosporins - pharmacology; Cephalosporins - therapeutic use; Chronic Disease; dosing regimens; Double-Blind Method; efficacy; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; tolerance; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/S1201-9712(00)90062-6

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of three antibiotic regimens in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, multicentered, parallel-group study, patients received once-daily cefdinir 600 mg, twice-daily cefdinir 300 mg, or twice-daily cefuroxime axetil 250 mg for 10 days. Primary efficacy measures were microbiologic eradication rate, by pathogen and by patient, and clinical response rate, by patient. Results: Of 1045 patients, 589 were evaluable for efficacy. At baseline, most patients had moderate or severe cough and sputum production as well as rhonchi, wheezing, and dyspnea. The microbiologic eradication rates by pathogen were 90% with once-daily cefdinir, 85% with twice-daily cefdinir, and 88% with twice-daily cefuroxime. The corresponding values for microbiologic eradication rate by patient were 90% (once-daily cefdinir), 85% (twice-daily cefdinir), and 86% (twice-daily cefuroxime). The respective clinical response rates by patient were 81%, 74%, and 80%. There were no significant differences in the incidence of drug-related adverse events or discontinuations due to adverse events. Diarrhea was the most frequent complaint. Conclusions: The results indicate that the efficacy and tolerability of cefdinir, once or twice daily, and cefuroxime were comparable with no significant differences between the regimens used.