Comparison of cefpodoxime proxetil with cefaclor in the treatment of sinusitis

The efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil were compared with those of cefaclor in a multicentre, international, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in adult outpatients suffering from acute sinusitis. At the end of treatment, cefpodoxime proxetil was more effective than cefaclor, producing complete clinical cure in 84% of cases (102/122) vs 68% of cases (77/114) in the cefaclor group (P = 0.01). The overall clinical efficacy (cure + improvement) was similar in the two groups with 95% (116/122) satisfactory responses in the cefpodoxime proxetil group and 93% (106/114) in the cefaclor group. Bacteriological response was similar with 95% eradication in the cefpodoxime proxetil group (55/58) vs 91% with cefaclor (63/69).