Following treatment with clarithromycin, 400 mg daily for 4 weeks, significant improvements in mucociliary clearance, volume of secretions, cough frequency, and dyspnea-on-exertion were documented in 32 patients with sinobron-chial syndrome. Low-dose roxithromycin (Rulid; Albert-Roussel Pharma GmbH; Wiesbaden, Germany) was shown to significantly improve the aeration of all four sinuses and to significantly reduce neutrophil and IL-8 levels in the nasal […]

Between 1990 and 1992, sinusitis-associated symptoms resulted in > 70 million days of restricted activity. The economic impact of the disease is also staggering, with health-care expenditures in the United States attributable to sinusitis estimated to be about $5.8 billion annually. Nasal congestion, increased quantity and tenacity of secretions, facial pain, and fatigue are common among patients with chronic sinusitis. […]

Preliminary data from studies of patients with COPD have shown improvements in symptom scores and FEV1 after macrolide treatment. As biological response modifiers, macrolides have the potential to improve the outcomes of patients with inflammatory airway diseases. Large scale, placebo-controlled clinical trials designed to assess long-term efficacy and safety in these diseases are warranted. Key words: anti-inflammatory activity; asthma; […]