A double-blind study comparing cefaclor and amoxycillin in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in general practice
Brodie, N.H.; McGhie, R.L.; O'Hara, H.; O'Hara, J.; Rahman, M.K.; Vallé-Jones, J.C.
Pharmatherapeutica 2(7): 494-498
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0308-051X PMID: 7010383 Document Number: 154749
A prospective double-blind study was carried out to compare the efficacy of intermittent vs. continuous levels of .beta.-lactam antibiotics. Two hundred ninety-eight patients attending their general practitioner and requiring treatment for respiratory tract infections were randomly allocated to receive either 250 mg cefaclor 3 times daily (intermittent) or 500 mg amoxycillin 3 times daily (continuous). By most of the parameters used to assess outcomes, the group on cefaclor did better than the group on amoxycillin, although in no case was the difference statistically significant. This result confirms previous studies which showed that the maintenance of continuous levels of antibiotic is not a necessary objective when using .beta.-lactam antibiotics.