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Phenoxymethylpenicillin two or three times daily for tonsillitis with beta-haemolytic streptococci group A: a
G Fyllingen1, A R Arnesen, C Biermann
1Medical Department, Apothekernes Laboratorium AS, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
In relation to compliance problems it was investigated whether phenoxymethylpenicillin dosed twice or 3 times daily was equally effective in tonsillitis due to beta-haemolytic streptococci group A. In a randomized, controlled and single blind multicentre study 206 patients older than 5 years with a positive culture of group A streptococci were treated with phenoxymethylpenicillin for 7 days. 101 patients received the daily dosage divided in 2 doses and 105 patients divided in 3 doses a day. The cure rate (a combination of bacteriological and clinical cure) was 82.0% in the 2-dosage regimen, and 88.2% in the 3-dosage regimen. The difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, phenoxymethylpenicillin dosed 2 or 3 times daily seems to be equally effective in tonsillitis due to group A streptococci.
Insights
Phenoxymethylpenicillin for tonsillitis is equally effective when taken twice or three times daily. This study found no significant difference in cure rates for Group A streptococcal infections, suggesting flexible dosing for patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tonsillitis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci group A is a common infection.
- Compliance with antibiotic regimens can be a challenge, impacting treatment effectiveness.
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a standard treatment for streptococcal tonsillitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of phenoxymethylpenicillin when administered twice daily versus three times daily for Group A streptococcal tonsillitis.
- To evaluate if a reduced dosing frequency affects treatment outcomes in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, single-blind, multicenter study.
- 206 patients over 5 years old with confirmed Group A streptococcal tonsillitis.
- Treatment with phenoxymethylpenicillin for 7 days, with daily dosage divided into 2 or 3 doses.
Main Results:
- The cure rate (bacteriological and clinical) was 82.0% for the 2-dose regimen and 88.2% for the 3-dose regimen.
- The observed difference in cure rates between the two dosing frequencies was not statistically significant.
- No significant differences in adverse events were reported between groups.
Conclusions:
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin dosed twice daily appears to be as effective as a three-times-daily regimen for treating tonsillitis caused by Group A streptococci.
- This finding supports potentially improved patient compliance with a less frequent dosing schedule.
- Further research could explore long-term outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction with different dosing frequencies.