Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Telithromycin in dental infections

Abstract

We evaluated the clinical utility of Telithromycin, a novel ketolide oral antibiotic, in the treatment of acute dental infections by comparing it with treatments with cefdinir or cefcapene-pivoxil, which are Cefem antibiotics. In addition, we surveyed patients by questionnaire on their impressions of the therapeutic effects of these antibiotics. Telithromycin was administered to 24 patients at a dose of 600 mg once a day for 3 days and cefdinir or cefcapene-pivoxil was administered to 20 patients at a dose of 300 mg three times a day over an equivalent 3-day period or 5-day period. The clinical efficacy rate was determined according to the standard established by Japanese Society of Oral Therapeutics and Pharmacology, during a period of up to 7 days after the administration. The clinical efficacy rate in the Telithromycin group and Cefem antibiotics group was 91% and 90%, respectively. The questionnaire survey showed that an improvement of rational symptoms up to 7 days after the administration was seen by 90% or more of patients in both groups. This research showed the advantage of the Telithromycin dose regimen as compared to treatment with Cefem antibiotics. We found that Telithromycin with its advantage of a convenient single dose a day was as effective as treatment with Cefem antibiotics. We therefore conclude that Telithromycin has an important potential for the treatment of acute dental infections.