One drug comes out ahead in treating ear infections

The results of a large study indicate that of the two most frequently prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of acute otitis media (AOM) in children, one is significantly more effective than the other in eradicating Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, the three most common bacterial pathogens that cause AOM. Alejandro Hoberman, MD, chief, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Children?s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and lead investigator of the study, reported that 91% of the children treated with amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate (Augmentin ES-600, GlaxoSmithKline) extra-strength powder for oral suspension showed improvement or were cured at the end of treatment, compared to 81% of those treated with azithromycin (Zithromax, Pfizer). Hoberman presented the study findings at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy held last month in Chicago, and also discussed them with reporters at a recent media briefing.