Cefaclor in the treatment of infections of the ears, nose, and throat.

Clinical experience and laboratory tests in 52 patients (14 to 77 years of age) who had moderate to severe ear, nose, and throat infections were evaluated in this study of cefaclor, a new cephalosporin antibiotic, The drug proved to be effective in the treatment of these infections, and the incidence of side effects was low. Patients received oral doses of 500 mg every 8 hr for three to five days after all signs of infection had disappeared. Therapeutic results were assessed as very good in 31 patients, good in 17, and unsatisfactory in one. Three were unevaluable. The rapid onset of the therapeutic effect obtained with cefaclor in these patients was particularly striking. Some side effects occurred, but they were essentially transient and minor. Cefaclor should become a major antibiotic for the treatment of infections of the ears, nose, and throat.