Acceptance of Clarithromycin in a Straw Compared to Syrup in Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

The study population were children aged 2-12 years (weight 12-40 kg) suffering from upper respiratory tract infections (acute otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or acute bacterial bronchitis) and who needed antibiotic treatment. The study compared treatment satisfaction and treatment adherence of oral clarithromycin DST (125 mg, 187.5 mg, or 250 mg twice daily) with the established oral clarithromycin syrup administered via a graduated syringe (Klacid Syrup Forte®, 250 mg/5mL) at the same fixed daily doses.

Fixed doses of 125 mg, 187.5 mg and 250 mg of clarithromycin DST offer the pediatrician the flexibility to treat children of different body weight and age adequately at the recommended daily dose of 15 (12.5-20) mg/kg. All children were treated for 7 to 10 day (14 to 20 doses). Treatment satisfaction by the guardian/caregiver in terms of handling and administration of the clarithromycin DST straw and the comparator clarithromycin syrup, convenience of the administration, acceptance of taste and aftertaste, and treatment satisfaction with respect to future use was evaluated by means of a Parents' Questionnaire once on either Day 3, 4, or 5 and once on either Day 11, 12, 13, or 14. In addition, treatment adherence/willingness of medication intake and the child's health status were assessed. The safety program comprised recording and evaluation of adverse events and countermeasures.