Safety and efficacy of cefixime versus cefaclor in respiratory tract infections.

A randomized controlled study design was used to compare the efficacy of cefixime versus cefaclor in 30 patients suffering from lower respiratory tract infections. Patients were treated with a 10 to 11 day course of cefixime 200 mg b.i.d. or cefaclor 500 mg t.i.d. The overall clinical response (cured and improved) in the 13 evaluable patients of the cefixime group was 100%. 12 of the 14 patients of the cefaclor group were cured or improved. In the two other patients the symptoms remained unchanged. The bacteriological efficacy in both groups was comparable. Adverse effects were not reported during the study.