Roxithromycin compared with erythromycin against genitourinary chlamydial infections

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Genitourinary chlamydial infections are a common sexually transmitted disease.
• Macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin are standard treatments.
• Alternative macrolides with improved dosing regimens are sought.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of roxithromycin with erythromycin for treating genitourinary chlamydial infections.
• To evaluate the impact of a once-daily roxithromycin regimen versus a twice-daily erythromycin regimen.
• To assess bacteriological cure rates and side effect profiles.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized study involving 281 patients with genitourinary chlamydial infections.
• Patients received either roxithromycin 300 mg once daily or erythromycin 500 mg twice daily for seven days.
• Bacteriological assessments were performed at the end of treatment and at a two-week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Bacteriological cure rates approached 100% for both treatment groups at the end of therapy.
• At follow-up, roxithromycin achieved chlamydia negativity in 73% of men and 97% of women, compared to 70% of men and 88% of women on erythromycin.
• Gastrointestinal side effects occurred in approximately 15% of patients in both groups, without treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions:

• Roxithromycin is as safe and effective as erythromycin for treating chlamydial infections.
• The once-daily dosing of roxithromycin offers a significant advantage in patient compliance and convenience.
• Further investigation into potential reinfection is warranted, particularly in women.