Cefuroxime

PURPOSE: Cefuroxime axetil possesses activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae Moraxella catarrhalis and Hemophilus influenzae and has beta-lactamase stability. It is therefore useful in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. An extended-release (ER) preparation of cefuroxime axetil has been recently formulated. The present study evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of this new ER- formulation of Cefuroxime in adult Indian patients with AECB.

METHODS: Adults patients (n = 125) with clinically and radiologically confirmed AECB were enrolled in this prospective, multicentric, open label, non-comparative Phase III study alter obtaining informed consent. The study was approved by the respective Institutional Review Boards. Patients fulfilling the selection criteria received 1g. ER-Cefuroxime axetil once-daily for 10 days. Efficacy outcomes included clinical and bacteriological response at the end of therapy. Safety was assessed by monitoring.

RESULTS: Following therapy with ER -Cefuroxime, there was a significant reduction in body temperature, chills, dyspnea, chest pain by Day 3 which further improved on Day 10. There was a significant improvement in the quantity, consistency, nature and odour of sputum, intensity of cough and ausculatory findings by Day 3 which was sustained till the end of study. The effects of therapy on primary outcome measures are depicted in Table 1. Adverse events were reported by only 12% of the study population.

CONCLUSION: ER-Cefuroxime axetil 1g. once daily was effective and safe in the treatment of AECB.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: ER-Cefuroxime axetil 1g. once daily is a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of Acute exacerbations of Chronic bronchitis.

DISCLOSURE: Anish Desai, None.

Anish A. Desai MD * A B. Mishra MD G Bhatia MD R S. Murlidaharn MD G S. Kadam MD Ashish S. Gawde MD Vidyagauri P. Baliga PhD Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai, India

COPYRIGHT 2005 American College of Chest Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group