762 CEFACLOR (B.I.D. v T.I.D.)v AMOXICILLIN IN THE TREAMENT OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA (AOM)

Abstract

A double-blind randomized study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Cefaclor in treatment of AOM. 72 children with AOM were randomly assigned to three groups:Cefaclor 40mgm/kg/day BID, (A,n=25),TID (B,n=23)Amoxicillin 40mgm/kg/day TID (C,n=24). All patients were treated 14 days. The age range of the patients was 1mo-16yr. Tympanocentesis (Tymp) was done on day 1 in 56; 19 had +ve cultures for pathogens(A=11, B=3, C=5). 12 patients had Tymp on day 2 of therapy for persistance of pathogens;1(B) had +ve culture. All organisms were sensitive to Amoxicillin and Cefaclor. Clinical response was evaluated on day 2-4 and day 14-18 for resolution of AOM and for middle ear effusion (MEF) by pneumatoscopy and tympanometry. All patients had defervescence of symptoms (fever, earache and irritability)within 24hrs. The results in the 3 groups were as follows: Our results show that Cefaclor is as effective as Amoxicillin in the treatment of AOM. Further, Cefaclor BID was as effective as TID regimens. BID regimen has the advantage of better patient compliance, especially if this can be confirmed in larger studies.