Abstract
Background: Sparfloxacin, an oral quinolone antibiotic, is active against most pathogens isolated in community-acquired respiratory infections. This trial compared its efficacy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus clarithromycin. Methods: Forty adult patients with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (including pneumonia) were randomized to groups taking sparfloxacin (200mg/day) or amoxicillin (750mg/day)/clavulanic acid (375mg/day) plus clarithromycin (500mg/day) for a maximum of 14 days. All patients who had been compliant (study medication taken for at least 3 days) and without a major protocol violation were evaluated for the efficacy analysis. Results: The clinical success rate was good for both treatment protocols (sparfloxacin was 75% [15/20], amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus clarithromycin was 85% [16/19], p=0.73). The clinical success rate among patients with pneumonia treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus clarithromycin was higher, although there was no significant difference (p=0.23). Adverse effects with sparfloxacin included 1patient with gastrointestinal upset and 1 patient with photosensitivity. Gastrointestinal upset (mainly diarrhea) was the principal side effect among patients taking amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus clarithromycin. Conclusion: Sparfloxacin was as effective as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus clarithromycin in the treatment of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection.
Published Version
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