Abstract

Objective: Present Randomized controlled trial study was undertaken to evaluate the difference in outcome of patients treated with oral co-amoxyclav, intravenous co-amoxyclav, followed by oral cephalosporins   for lower respiratory tract infection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 234 patients admitted for lower respiratory tract infection were included in the study. All the patients were randomized in three study Groups. Group A included 75 patients, Group B contains 75 patients and Group C contains 68 patients, 16 patients were excluded from the study. Group A patients received co- amoxyclav 500mg/125mg orally three times a day for seven days, Group B patients received 1000mg/200mg   intravenously two times a day for three days followed by orally 500mg/125mg three times a day for two days and Group C received cephalosporins 1000mg intravenously two times a day for three days followed by 500 mg orally two times a day for two days. Written consent was taken from all the patients and all the data regarding age, occupation, clinical illness, past history of treatment were noted. 

Results: There were no significant differences between the all the groups in clinical outcome or mortality. However, patients randomized to oral co-amoxyclav had a significantly shorter hospital stay than the two groups given intravenous antibiotics.

Conclusion: Oral antibiotics in lower respiratory tract infection are at least as efficacious as intravenous therapy. Oral antibiotics were cheaper, easier to administer, and may lead to earlier discharge from hospital.

Kewwords: Community acquired, Antibiotics, co- Amoxyclav, Cephalosporins. Lower respiratory tract infection.