[Meta-analysis of clarithromycin compared to other antibiotics for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections]. / Metaanálisis de la claritromicina comparada con otros antimicrobianos en el tratamiento de las infecciones de vías respiratorias bajas.
Rev Esp Quimioter
; 16(4): 403-11, 2003 Dec.
Article
en Es
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14961134
ABSTRACT
Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of respiratory infections. The aim of this study was to assess its effectiveness for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. A number of meta-analyses of clinical trials comparing clarithromycin to the antibiotics most frequently used in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, such as cephalosporins, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, erythromycin and azithromycin, have been performed. Clarithromycin's effectiveness for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections was better than that for cephalosporins (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.09-1.86) and, although not to the same extent, that for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 0.92-2.70); however, the efficacy was only similar to that shown for azithromycin (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.19-1.68). The fourth meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of clarithromycin to that of erythromycin for the treatment of pneumonia and showed a superior odds ratio in favor of clarithromycin (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.97-2.2). Meta-analyses comparing clarithromycin's safety to that of the same drugs in the same conditions used in the assessment of effectiveness showed a similar incidence of adverse events compared to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and azithromycin, a slightly lower incidence compared to erythromycin, and a slightly higher incidence compared to cephalosporins. In conclusion, these meta-analyses show that clarithromycin is an effective and safe antibiotic for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, a new once-daily dose formulation with a positive impact on therapeutic compliance is currently available, making clarithromycin a first-line treatment for lower respiratory tract infections.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio
/
Claritromicina
/
Antibacterianos
Tipo de estudio:
Systematic_reviews
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
Es
Revista:
Rev Esp Quimioter
Asunto de la revista:
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Año:
2003
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
España