Audio Journal of General Medicine – Antibiotic Benefit in Asthma Exacerbations

Sebastian L. Johnston, Imperial College, London
REFERENCE: N Engl J Med 2006;354:1589
Despite the guidelines recommendation that antibiotics should not normally be used when treating asthma exacerbations, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has now shown a benefit. A controlled study with 278 adult patients showed a reduction of asthma symptoms when the ketolide telithromycin was used as compared with placebo. Investigator Sebastian Johnston told Peter Goodwin that more research needs to be done before changing practice.