Azithromycin versus pivampicillin in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: a single-blind, double-dummy, multicentre study.

This single-blind, double-dummy, multicentre study compared oral azithromycin, administered as tablets, 500 mg once daily for 3 days, versus oral pivampicillin, 700 mg twice daily for 10 days, in adults with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (not needing parenteral antibiotic therapy, hospitalization or oxygen support). Clinical success (cure + improvement) rates were similar for both groups at the end of treatment (day 10; azithromycin, 124 of 133 [93%]; pivampicillin, 79 of 92 [86%]) and at follow-up (day 52; 98 of 126 [78%] versus 66 of 81 [81%]). The treatments produced similar levels of pathogen eradication at the end of treatment (49 of 54 [91%] versus 32 of 37 [86%]). Azithromycin-treated patients had significantly reduced chest discomfort at the end of treatment, and a trend towards improved lung function. The two groups were similar with respect to improvements in other clinical symptoms and patient well-being, and to the incidences of adverse events and treatment discontinuations. This oral azithromycin regime is an effective treatment for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, similar in efficacy to the longer pivampicillin regime and may offer superior patient compliance.