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