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Many antibiotics shown to fail

Date published: 19/12/2005

Common antibiotics have been found to be ineffective in some patients with throat infections, according to new research. Scientists at the University of Rochester, in a survey of over 11,000 children with strep throat, found that 25 per cent of patients who were given penicillin required further treatment after three weeks. Amoxicillin was found to be ineffective amongst 18 per cent of patients given the drug.

Researchers Michael Pichichero and Janet Casey said that the work backed up previous evidence showing that some children who receive the antibiotics relapse, suggesting that GPs should be proscribing more effective drugs.

"Most doctors are shocked to learn of the high failure rates of the older medications. The treatment paradigm for treating strep sore throats has been changing slowly, and endorsing the use of cephalosporins as a first-line treatment is something that needs to be seriously considered," Mr Pichichero said.

However, some reacted to the findings with caution. Dr Robert George told the BBC that use of stronger antibiotics could treat strep throat in the short term but regular use would build up resistance to the drug

"The World Health Organisation continues to recommend penicillin as the first line of treatment for strep throat and the Health Protection Agency guidance is in accordance with this," he said. "Although prescribing cephalosporins might reduce a strep throat infection in a shorter time period, the effects of using a more potent antibiotic must be considered."

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