Clinical Efficacy of Clarithromycin (Clarith) for Acute Upper Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Clarithromycin (Clarith) is a new macrolide antibiotic derived from erythromycin. The clinical efficacy of clarithromycin (Clarith) for acute upper respiratory infections was evaluated in 115 cases; including 45 cases of acute pharyngolaryngitis, 16 cases of acute tonsillitis, 18 cases of acute sinusitis and 23 cases of acute change in chronic sinusitis. The efficacy rate was 80.0% for acute pharyngolaryngitis, 75.0% for acute tonsillitis, 77.8% for acute sinusitis and 72.3% for acute change in chronic sinusitis. Side effects were observed in 3 cases but the symptoms were mild.
A post treatment questionnaire survey was done with 23 cases of acute sinusitis and acute change in chronic sinusitis. Improvement in symptoms was seen in 91.3% of the cases.