Publication
Title
Adverse effects of amoxicillin for acute lower respiratory tract infection in primary care : secondary and subgroup analysis of a randomised clinical trial
Author
Abstract
A European placebo-controlled trial of antibiotic treatment for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) conducted in 16 primary care practices networks recruited participants between November 2007 and April 2010, and found adverse events (AEs) occurred more often in patients prescribed amoxicillin compared to placebo. This secondary analysis explores the causal relationship and estimates specific AEs (diarrhoea, nausea, rash) due to amoxicillin treatment for LRTI, and if any subgroup is at increased risk of any or a specific AE. A total of 2061 patients were randomly assigned to amoxicillin (1038) and placebo (1023); 595 (28%) were 60 and older. A significantly higher proportion of any AEs (diarrhoea or nausea or rash) (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.051.64, number needed to harm (NNH) = 24) and of diarrhoea (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.081.90, NNH = 29) was reported in the amoxicillin group during the first week after randomisation. Subgroup analysis showed rash was significantly more often reported in males prescribed amoxicillin (interaction term 3.72 95% CI 1.2211.36; OR of amoxicillin in males 2.79 (95% CI 1.087.22). No other subgroup at higher risk was identified. Although the study was not powered for subgroup analysis, this analysis suggests that most patients are likely to be equally harmed when prescribed antibiotics
Language
English
Source (journal)
Antibiotics
Publication
2017
ISSN
2079-6382
DOI
10.3390/ANTIBIOTICS6040036
Volume/pages
6 :4 (2017) , 8 p.
Article Reference
36
ISI
000419248200005
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.12.2017
Last edited 04.03.2024
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