BMJ  2004;328 (3 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7443.0-d

Three days of amoxicillin are enough for non-severe pneumonia

Treating children with non-severe pneumonia with oral amoxicillin for three days, rather than five, is as effective, cheaper, and more likely to be adhered to by patients. In a randomised trial conducted by the ISCAP Study Group (p 791), 2188 children with non-severe pneumonia received oral amoxicillin for three days or standard care (five days' treatment). Clinical cures and relapses were no different in the two groups. Clinical failure was more likely with non-adherence to treatment at day 5, a respiratory rate of > 10 breaths/minute, and infection with respiratory syncytial virus. As well as being cheaper and as effective, a three day course may decrease antimicrobial resistance, the authors say.

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Three day versus five day treatment with amoxicillin for non-severe pneumonia in young children: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
BMJ 2004 328: 791. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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