A combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in the treatment of pyoderma in children

The efficacy and safety of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid was compared with that of amoxicillin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole in an open label, randomized trial in 50 children in each group (total 200) with mild to severe pyodermas. Majority (47%) had impetigo. Fifty (25%) children had mild pyoderma, 56 (28%) had moderate and 94 (47%) children had severe pyoderma. Pure growth of S aureus was isolated in 130 (65%) children, S pyogenes in 42 (21%) and both organisms in 28 (14%) children. In mild to moderate pyoderma either of the drug tried was equally effective. In severe pyoderma, 24 of twenty five (96%) children receiving amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, 18 of twenty (90%) children in amoxicillin group, 20 of twenty four (83.3%) children in erythromycin group and 13 of twenty five (52%) children in co-trimoxazole group showed clinical cure of therapy. Amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid was well tolerated in children and there was no significant side effect except mild diarrhoea in two cases (4%) which was well controlled by taking the drug with meals.