Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Hospitalized Adult Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia Treated With Beta-lactams

Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Hospitalized Adult Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia Treated With Beta-lactams

The purpose of this study is to compare effectiveness and safety of Azithromycin versus Doxycycline in adult patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) treated with Beta-lactams.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adult patients (>18 years old) admitted with CAP and receiving a beta-lactam antibiotic plus a form of atypical coverage (azithromycin or doxycycline) in the ED within 12 hours of admission.

Exclusion Criteria:

• High clinical suspicion for Legionella pneumonia
• Allergy or contraindication to the use of either azithromycin or doxycycline (usual clinical practice)
• Antibiotics not for CAP
• Pregnant women (based on clinical assessment as part of standard of care)
• Severe CAP as defined by the ATS/IDSA criteria
• Corrected QT prolongation (> 440 ms in men and > 460 ms in women)
• Receiving a different antibiotic (e.g quinolones)
• Admission > 24 hours
• Known to be a prisoner