• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Infectious Disease

Amoxicillin shows no benefit in children with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infections

byJessie WillisandTeddy Guo
November 10, 2021
in Infectious Disease, Pediatrics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. Between a 7-day course of amoxicillin or placebo, there was no significant different in symptom duration and no clinically significant difference in symptom severity.

2. There was no significant difference in adverse events (rash, diarrhea, nausea) between the two groups.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Study Rundown: Antibiotic misuse has been seen across all healthcare fields, but it may be especially present in pediatrics.  Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are typically viral and are unlikely to benefit from antibiotics. This randomized-control trial assigned children with uncomplicated LRTI (non-pneumonic) symptoms presenting to primary care to receive either a course of amoxicillin or placebo for 7 days. Symptoms were monitored by parents at home who recorded severity on a scale of 0-6 in a diary for 1-4 weeks. According to the findings, there was no significant difference in length of symptoms between the two groups. There was a slight improvement in symptom severity in the amoxicillin group in the first 2-4 days; however, this was not clinically significant. No differences in adverse events or medication side effects were seen. Limitations of this study include the symptom diary which was only fully completed for 73% of patients, the remaining which had to be imputed. Nevertheless, this study indicates that amoxicillin likely has little to no clinical benefit in children presenting with uncomplicated LRTI in the primary care setting. This data will support primary care physicians in their clinical decision making.

Click to read the study in the Lancet

Relevant Reading: Antibiotic misuse in respiratory tract infections in children and adults-a prospective, multicentre study (TAILORED Treatment).

In-Depth [randomized controlled trial]: This multicentre study collected data from 56 primary care settings in England. Children with LRTIs aged 6 months to 12 years were included in the study. Duration of presenting illness must have been less than 21 days. LRTIs were clinically diagnosed by primary care providers by symptoms of shortness of breath, sputum, pain and the criteria used to diagnose acute bronchitis. Children were excluded if the cause was non-infectious (eg. Asthma) or they had received antibiotics in the previous 30 days. Patients were randomized 1:1 into either placebo (n=211) or amoxicillin (n=221) 50 mg/kg orally for 7 days. 54% of the participants were male and the median age was 3.2 years. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups after randomization (ex. clinical symptoms upon presentation, comorbidities).

RELATED REPORTS

Intranasal vaccine against Bordetella pertussis invokes seronegative IgA response

Similar perinatal outcomes observed amongst conception via natural and assisted reproductive means

Supplementation of breastmilk with bovine formula not associated with differences in gut microbiome

Parents kept a symptom diary for at least 1 week, to a maximum of 4 weeks. Symptoms were ranked on a scale of 0-6 for severity and included cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing, blocked or runny nose, disturbed sleep, feeling unwell, fever, and interference with normal activities. Follow-up was done at the primary care practice after 1 month. Secondary outcomes included the severity of specific symptoms and complications of the medication (diarrhea, rash, or nausea).

73% of patients had complete data on symptom duration. There was no significant difference in symptom duration between the two groups: 5 days [IQR 4-11] in amoxicillin versus 6 days [4-15] in placebo (HR 1.13 [95% CI 0.90-1.42]). There were significantly less severe symptoms on days 2-4 after receiving the medication (1.8 in antibiotic vs. 2.1 in placebo); however, this is arguably not clinically significant. There were no differences in adverse events between the two groups.

Image: PD

©2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

Tags: amoxicillinantibiotic resistanceantibioticslower respiratory tract infectionspediatric carepediatricsprimary carerespiratory infections
Previous Post

No difference between noncontrast CT vs MRI for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke

Next Post

Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following recombinant zoster vaccine in medicare beneficiaries

RelatedReports

Algorithm improves pediatric chronic cough outcomes
Infectious Disease

Intranasal vaccine against Bordetella pertussis invokes seronegative IgA response

March 22, 2023
Increasing C-section room temperature linked to reduced neonatal, maternal hypothermia
Obstetrics

Similar perinatal outcomes observed amongst conception via natural and assisted reproductive means

March 20, 2023
Fewer work hours linked to greater likelihood of continued breastfeeding
Gastroenterology

Supplementation of breastmilk with bovine formula not associated with differences in gut microbiome

March 10, 2023
Survival greater in cervical cancer patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy compared to minimally invasive techniques: the LACC trial
Weekly Rewinds

2 Minute Medicine Rewind March 6, 2023

March 8, 2023
Next Post
Influenza vaccine not associated with increased risk of epilepsy in children

Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following recombinant zoster vaccine in medicare beneficiaries

Parents often unaware of adolescents’ suicidal thoughts

Wellness Check: Mental Health

Cardiovascular events are associated with mental stress-induced ischemia in patients with stable coronary heart disease

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Active surveillance strategies to improve rates of inferior vena cava filter retrieval
  • Intranasal vaccine against Bordetella pertussis invokes seronegative IgA response
  • Hydrochlorothiazide does not impact risk of kidney-stone recurrence
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options