[Cefaclor and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for recurrent otitis media]

The efficacy of cefaclor and of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in the management of recurrent otitis media was evaluated in a randomized single-blind controlled trial. The median age of the patients was 12 months (range 5-37); there were 37 boys and 19 girls. All had received 1 or more courses of antibacterials for acute otitis media in the previous 2-3 weeks. 27 were treated with oral cefaclor suspension, 40 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses, and 29 with 1 mg/kg/day of TMP-SMX (trimethoprim 8 mg, sulfamethoxazole 40 mg) in 2 divided doses, each group for 10 days. 70% of the cefaclor group and 90% of the TMP-SMX group were cured after the 10 days of therapy (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). Results were not better on the 21st day as compared with the 10th. Our data indicate a mild preference for TMP-SMX (although p was not less than 0.05), since it needs to be given only twice a day and costs less than cefaclor.