Clarithromycin therapy for patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The clinically significant actions of oral azithromycin in modifying progressive cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease have been well documented. In vitro and clinical data suggests that clarithromycin has immunomodulatory properties similar to other 14-member macrolides, however two previously reported short term, open label trials of clairthromycin in small numbers of patients with CF failed to show significant benefits in modifying lung function or inflammation. We performed an international double blind, cross-over trial in which 63 subjects with CF were studied while receiving either placeo or 500mg oral clarithromycin twice daily for 5 months, with a 1-month wash-out. The primary efficacy ..