Phenoxymethylpenicillin Two or Three Times Daily in Bacterial Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Blinded, Randomized and Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract

In relation to compliance problems it was investigated whether phenoxymethylpenicillin dosed 2 or 3 times daily was equally effective in bacterial upper respiratory infections. In a randomized, controlled and single blind clinical trial, 131 patients with otitis media, sinusitis and tonsillitis were treated with phenoxymethylpenicillin. 71 received the daily dose twice a day and 60 patients received the daily dose 3 times a day. The dose was adjusted for diagnoses and age. Clinical cure was the endpoint for treatment success. In the 2-dosage group 78.6% had full effect of the treatment and 86.2% had full effect in the 3-dosage group. There was no statistically significant difference. In conclusion phenoxymethylpenicillin dosed 2 or 3 times daily seems to be equally effective in bacterial upper respiratory infection.