Clinical efficacy and tolerability of cefixime in the treatment of acute sinusitis.

In a noncomparative trial, 73 adults with acute sinusitis confirmed by x-ray received cefixime 400mg once daily for approximately 10 days. At the end of treatment, 60 patients (82%) were cured, 2 (2.7%) had improved and 7 (9.6%) had failed therapy; 4 patients were not evaluable. No relapses were observed at follow-up. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis were the main pretreatment pathogens, accounting for 65% of all bacterial isolates. Overall, 84% of pathogens were eradicated after treatment. Cefixime was well tolerated, moderate gastrointestinal disturbances being the most frequent adverse effects noted (3 of 4 patients with adverse effects). These results are comparable to those obtained with cefixime 400mg administered orally in 2 divided doses.