M R Bush1, C Rosa. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare azithromycin and erythromycin in regard to side effects, intolerance, and cure rate in a pregnant population with chlamydial cervicitis. METHODS:Thirty women were randomized to receive either erythromycin, 500 mg orally four times a day for 7 days, or azithromycin, 1 g orally as one dose. All subjects completed questionnaires identifying the incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Post-treatment cultures were taken from all subjects. RESULTS: All subjects receiving erythromycin reported two or more gastrointestinal side effects, versus none in the azithromycin group (P < .001). Five of 15 subjects in the erythromycin treatment arm were intolerant to the 500-mg dose given four times a day, compared to none in the azithromycin group (P < .025), so the dosage was lowered to 250 mg four times a day to complete the course. Repeat cervical testing demonstrated similar cure rates for both medications: 100 and 93% (14 of 15) for azithromycin and erythromycin, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that azithromycin is a valid treatment option in pregnant patients who cannot tolerate erythromycin because of side effects.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To compare azithromycin and erythromycin in regard to side effects, intolerance, and cure rate in a pregnant population with chlamydial cervicitis. METHODS: Thirty women were randomized to receive either erythromycin, 500 mg orally four times a day for 7 days, or azithromycin, 1 g orally as one dose. All subjects completed questionnaires identifying the incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Post-treatment cultures were taken from all subjects. RESULTS: All subjects receiving erythromycin reported two or more gastrointestinal side effects, versus none in the azithromycin group (P < .001). Five of 15 subjects in the erythromycin treatment arm were intolerant to the 500-mg dose given four times a day, compared to none in the azithromycin group (P < .025), so the dosage was lowered to 250 mg four times a day to complete the course. Repeat cervical testing demonstrated similar cure rates for both medications: 100 and 93% (14 of 15) for azithromycin and erythromycin, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that azithromycin is a valid treatment option in pregnant patients who cannot tolerate erythromycin because of side effects.
Authors: M Gencay; M Puolakkainen; T Wahlström; P Ammälä; L Mannonen; A Vaheri; M L Koskiniemi Journal: J Clin Pathol Date: 1997-10 Impact factor: 3.411