Bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of cefixime compared with amoxicillin in acute otitis media.

The ability of cefixime or amoxicillin to eradicate causative pathogens was evaluated in 140 infants and children with acute otitis media with effusion. When pretherapy and on-therapy bacteriologic cultures were used, success was defined as elimination of pathogens regardless of clinical improvement. Parent compliance with administration instructions was closely monitored. Cefixime was administered daily or twice daily and because results on the two dosage regimens did not differ, data were combined for analysis. Results suggested that cefixime was somewhat more effective than amoxicillin for acute otitis media with effusion caused by Haemophilus influenzae but less effective for infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The study agents were equally effective against Branhamella catarrhalis.