engleski

Comparison of azithromycin and doxycycline in the treatment of erythema migrans

Background: A randomised, multicenter, open clinical trial was undertaken in order to compare the efficacies of azithromycin and doxycycline in the treatment of patients with Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans. Patients and methods: A total of 48 patients were treated orally with azithromycin, 500 mg bid on the first day, followed by 500 mg once daily for the next four days or doxycycline (40 patients) 100 bid for 14 days. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis of clinical efficacy showed no difference between two treatment regimens. Clinical success was observed in 46 (95,8%) azithromycin and 33 (82,5%) doxycycline treated patients, p= 0,0731). Minor symptoms persisted or appeared in the posttreatment period in 2 of 47 azithromycin and 3 of 35 doxycycline treated patients (p=0,646). Major manifestations appeared only in two patients in doxycycline group (p=0,179). There was no difference in the tolerability of the both drugs. Conclusion: Azithromycin (total dose 3 g) is equally effective as standard doxycycline tretament for erythema migrans in adult patients.

lyme; erythema migrans; azythromycin; doxycycline; borrelia

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