THERAPY

16

Thice-daily cefprozil 'suitable' for paediatric otitis media The new oral cefalosporin cefprozil, administered at a dosage of 40 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses, 'is suitable for the treatment of acute otitis media in children', according to the results of a French multicentre study. The study included 361 children, 191 of whom were evaluable for efficacy analysis. 99 of the evaluable children (mean age 28.8 months) were randomised to receive cefprozil, and 92 (mean age 24 months) received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 40 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses. Treatment was given for 7-10 days in the majority of cases; 5 children received treatment for 11-16 days. The clinical response rates (evaluated 1-14 days after therapy) and rates of persistent middle ear effusion were similar in the 2 treatment groups [see table]. Table: Efficacy of cefprozil vs amoxicillinl clavulanic acid in children with acute otitis media Twlce-dally cefprozll

Thrlce-daUy amoxlcllllnl clavulanlc acid

'Satisfactory' dinlcal response·

84%

87%

Persistent middle ear effusion

22%

29%

• complete resolution of symptoms and evidence of a non&rYtIlematous nonbulging tympanic membrane

All 361 children were evaluable for safety. Cefprozil recipients experienced fewer adverse effects than those who received amoxicillinlclavulanic acid (13 vs 20%); however, this difference was not significant. Gehanno p. Berche P, Boucot J, Larnbert-Zechovsky N, Bingen E, et aI. Comparative efficacy and safety of cefprozil and arnoxycillinlclavulanate in the treatment of acute otitis media in children. Journal of Antimicrohial Chemotherapy 33: 1209-1218, Jun 1994 8002711100

30 Jul 1994INPHARMA'"

0156-2703194/0948-00016/$01.00" Adis International Limited 1994. All rights reserved