Rokitamycin in odontostomatology. Controlled study of doses

BACKGROUND: Rokitamycin is a semisynthetic macrolide with a lactonic ring with 16 atoms, showing anti-bacterial action at concentrations near to MIC. A controlled clinical study is carried out, in parallel groups, whose aim was to assess the therapeutic action and safety of two dosage schemes of rokitamycin, in the short term treatment (5 days) of acute infective processes of odontostomatological origin. METHODS: Twenty patients (14 males, 6 females) were recruited for the trial, suffering from alveolitis, abscess, phlegmon, sialadenitis and suppurating cysts. The patients were divided in a randomized fashion into two groups: 10 patients were treated orally with 800 mg/day and 10 with 1200 mg/day. Rokitamycin was supplied in 400 mg tablets. RESULTS: The 5 days of treatment with rokitamycin determined the complete resolution of the infective process, with eradication of the germs originally isolated, all belonging to the Streptococcus genus. Clinical efficacy was evident by the third day of treatment, with a prompt improvement of symptoms (functional limitation, pain, tumefaction) and the return of body temperature to within normal limits, in a totally superimposable fashion between the two groups. Safety was excellent with both doses, with no side effects observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that treatment with rokitamycin in the short term, at the usual dosage of 800 mg/day, is a valid therapeutic scheme in infective processes in odontostomatology.