Antimicrobials in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media

Abstract

Four antimicrobial regimens were compared in the treatment of acute otitis media in children. One hundred children each received (1) phenoxymethyl penicillin, 75 mg/kg/day, (2) the same dose of penicillin phenoxymethyl plus sulfisoxazole, 150 mg/ kg/day, (3) erythromycin estolate, 50 mg/kg/day, or (4) ampicillin trihydrate, 75 mg/kg/day, all orally in four divided doses daily for ten days. Patients were evaluated at two, seven, and 14 days for therapeutic response in a double-blind manner and no significant differences were noted among the four treatment groups. Ninety-four percent and 83% of patients had antimicrobial activity in their urine at two and seven days indicating good compliance in taking their medications and no difference in compliance was noted among treatment groups relevant to treatment results.