Azithromycin and erythromycin in the treatment of cervical chlamydial infection during pregnancy.

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.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that azithromycin is a valid treatment option in pregnant patients who cannot tolerate erythromycin because of side effects.