Amoxicillin in treatment of acute uncomplicated exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study in general practice.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a broad-spectrum penicillin, amoxicillin, was superior to placebo in resolving symptoms of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in patients from general practice. 131 general practitioners included 278 patients over a period of 30 months. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment with amoxicillin 750 mg b.i.d. or corresponding placebo for 7 days. Patients with pneumonia, a temperature above 38.5 degrees C or heart rate over 100 were excluded for safety reasons. The main effect parameter--the doctors' overall evaluation of the treatment--did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between amoxicillin or placebo, 63% versus 64% of the patients. Resolution of symptoms was obtained by 19% (25/132) of the patients in the amoxicillin group compared with 10% (13/136) of the patients in the placebo group, P = 0.03. The present findings do not favour routine use of antibiotics in an attempt to improve the course of acute exacerbations as defined in this study in patients with chronic bronchitis.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes