Comparative Clinical Study of Roxithromycin and Josamycin for Suppurative Skin and Soft Tissue Infections by a Double-Blind Method

The clinical efficacy and safety of Roxithromycin (RU 28965, RU), a new macrolide preparation, were compared with those of Josamycin (JM) in superficial suppurative skin infections. The study was designed as double-blind controlled trial with daily dosages of 300 mg in RU group and 1200 mg in JM group. A total of 209 cases (RU: 105, JM: 104) was analyzed and the final global improvement rating was 82.9% in the RU group and 80.8% in the JM group; there was no significant difference between the two groups. Slight adverse reactions were observed in 3.6%(4 cases) of the RU group and in 4.6%(5 cases) of the JM group. In conclusion, RU at daily doses of 300 mg is as effective as JM at daily doses of 1200 mg in superficial suppurative skin infections.