Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily therapy with telithromycin for 5 or 10 days for the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis.

Background: The efficacy and tolerability of oral telithromycin 800 mg once daily for 5 vs. 10 days were assessed in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS).

Methods: Adults (n = 341) with confirmed AMS diagnosed on clinical signs and symptoms and sinus X-ray showing total opacity or air-fluid level were randomized to receive oral telithromycin for 5 days (followed by placebo for 5 days; n = 170) or 10 days (n = 171). Causative pathogens were isolated by pretreatment sinus puncture (day 1). Clinical and bacteriologic outcomes, and safety and tolerability endpoints were assessed.

Results: Clinical cure rates post-therapy (per-protocol; days 17-21) were comparable (91.1% in the 5-day group, n = 123; 91.0% in the 10-day group, n = 133). Bacteriologic eradication rates (per-protocol) were also similar (90.7 vs. 91.3%). Both regimens were well tolerated.

Conclusions: A 5-day course of telithromycin 800 mg once daily is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for adults with AMS, comparable to a 10-day regimen.