Cefixime versus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in lower respiratory tract infections

Sixty patients with lower respiratory tract infections, mainly acute bronchitis were treated for 14 days with either cefixime 200 mg twice daily (plus placebo once daily) or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 500 mg/125 mg thrice daily in a double-blind manner. The sputum cultures indicated that all isolated pathogens (notably Hemophilus species, S. pneumoniae and B. catarrhalis, including the beta-lactamase producing species) were sensitive to cefixime, with the exception of Pseudomonas species. The bacteriological eradication rates were 54% and 52% for cefixime and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, respectively. The positive clinical response (cured or improved) was 71% for the cefixime treated group and 74% in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group. There were no side effects and no significant adverse laboratory changes in both groups. The results indicate that cefixime twice daily is comparable in safety and efficacy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, thrice daily in acute bronchitis.