A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Comparative Trial of Azithromycin SR Versus Levofloxacin for the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (AECB)
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Comparative Trial of Azithromycin SR Versus Levofloxacin for the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (AECB)
This study was performed to confirm that a single 2.0-g dose of azithromycin SR is at least as effective as 7 days of levofloxacin 500 mg/day in adults with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis Secondary objectives: To assess safety and the bacteriologic efficacy of both treatment regimens
Inclusion Criteria:
Adult patients with a history of chronic bronchitis (i.e., chronic cough and sputum production on most days for 3 consecutive months for more than 2 years) and current evidence of an acute bacterial exacerbation of their disease, as demonstrated by production of purulent sputum and the presence of at lest 2 of the following signs and symptoms, were included: increased sputum production, increased dypsnea, increased cough, or increased sputum purulence.
Exclusion Criteria:
Key exclusion criteria were treatment with any systemic antibiotic within the previous 7 days, or the likelihood of receiving other systemic antibiotics during participation in the study; a chest radiograph consistent with pneumonia; and previously diagnosed conditions which tend to mimic or complicate the course and evaluation of the infectious process (e.g., bronchiectasis, lung abscess or empyema, active TB, pulmonary malignancy, cystic fibrosis).
Ste-Foy, Quebec G1V 4G5, Canada
Pinares de Curridabat, Provincia de San José, Costa Rica