CEFPODOXIME IN THE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OF LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

Abstract

Introduction. According to the recent data, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), i.e. a broad terminology including acute bronchitis (AB), influenza, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (AEBX), represent the fourth most common cause of death at global level. Aim of the study. To assess efficacy and safety of cefpodoxime in the empirical treatment of LRTIs of bacterial origin in an outpatient setting. Methods. We performed an observational, non-randomized, open-label study (a real life-study) including 126 patients with LRTI of bacterial origin, 59 patients with AECOPD, 32 patients with CAP and 35 patients with AEBX, who met criteria for treatment in an outpatient setting. All study subjects were treated with cefpodoxime 200 mg twice daily, and had intermediate visits at 3, 5, and 7 days (patients with AECB) and at 3, 5, 7, and 10 days (patients with CAP and AEBX) at which their symptoms as well as eventual side effects were evaluated. The treatment was considered to be successful if complete resolution of symptoms or their return to the baseline severity was achieved. Results. Percentage of clinical success, i.e., complete resolution of clinical symptoms and signs or their return to the baseline severity, varied from 77.9% in patients with AECOPD, 81.3% in patients with CAP to 77.1% in patients with AEBX. Mean time to clinical remission varied from 6.5  0.3 days in patients with AECOPD, 7.8  0.5 days in patients with CAP to 10.7  1.2 days in patients with AEBX. Incidence of side effects during the treatment varied from 10.2% in patients with AECOPD, 12.5% to 8.6% in patients with AEBX. Registered side effects were mild and self-limited and did not require premature discontinuation of the treatment. Conclusion. Our findings supported the use of cefpodoxime in the treatment of bacterial LRTI due to its high efficacy and good tolerability.