The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a broad-spectrum penicillin, amoxicillin, was superior to placebo in resolving symptoms of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in patients from general practice. 131 general practitioners included 278 patients over a period of 30 months. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment with amoxicillin 750 mg b.i.d. or corresponding placebo for 7 days. Patients with pneumonia, a temperature above 38.5 degrees C or heart rate over 100 were excluded for safety reasons. The main effect parameter--the doctors' overall evaluation of the treatment--did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between amoxicillin or placebo, 63% versus 64% of the patients. Resolution of symptoms was obtained by 19% (25/132) of the patients in the amoxicillin group compared with 10% (13/136) of the patients in the placebo group, P = 0.03. The present findings do not favour routine use of antibiotics in an attempt to improve the course of acute exacerbations as defined in this study in patients with chronic bronchitis.
A kinetic and dynamic study of digoxin was performed in 6 healthy subjects, and repeated in the same subjects after administration of quinidine for 1 wk. Myocardial performance evaluated by systolic time intervals increased in parallel with plasma digoxin concentration, whereas left ventricular end-diastolic diameter on echocardiography and arterial blood pressure remained constant. The positive inotropic effect of digoxin was abolished during concomitant treatment with quinidine. Quinidine has been reported to increase the risk of digitoxicity, and therefore the treatment with digoxin and quinidine in combination should be reconsidered.
Plasma clearance, volumes of distribution, and renal and extrarenal clearances of digoxin were calculated from plasma digoxin concentrations and urinary excretion of digoxin after intravenous injection of digoxin in 8 subjects. The investigation was repeated in the same subjects during long-term treatment with spironolactone. Increased plasma concentration of digoxin was detected during spironolactone treatment. Calculated plasma and renal clearances of digoxin and the volumes of distribution decreased statistically significant. Near maximal capacity for the tubular secretion of digoxin was found when normal digoxin dosage was used. It is suggested that unless spironolactone decreases the myocardial sensitivity for digoxin, the loading dose as well as the maintenance dose of digoxin should be reduced during treatment with spironolactone.
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