Comparison between Single Dose Azithromycin and Six Doses, 3 Day Norfloxacin for Treatment of Cholera in Adult

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin (1 gram) in treatment of cholera in adults. A randomized, controlled clinical trial on 120 adults with acute watery diarrhoea and moderate to severe dehydration compared the efficacy of azithromycin (1 gram) single dose and Norfloxacin (400 mg) twice daily for three days in treating cholera. Data were analysed for 64 patients who were stool culture positive for Vibrio cholerae. In conjunction with rehydration therapy, 32 patients received Azithromycin and 32 patients received Norfloxacin. Patients in the two treatment groups had comparable clinical characteristics on admission. CONCLUSIONS Result shows Azithromycin and Norfloxacin has got almost similar efficacy in reducing stool output, duration of diarrhoea and fluid requirement in cholera positive cases.