Clinical effect of low-dose, long-term roxithromycin chemotherapy in patients with chronic sinusitis.

We studied the clinical efficacy of roxithromycin (RXM) administered at the daily dosage of one tablet (150 mg) for 3 months in 30 patients with chronic sinusitis. The effectiveness of this drug was evaluated on a four-point scale. Subjective and objective symptoms disappeared or decreased markedly, especially postnasal drip and nature of discharge in 80 percent or more of the patients. All symptoms significantly decreased (P < 0.001; headache P < 0.05), except for the sensation of foul odor. Symptoms improved even in those cases in which Haemophilus influenzae was detected. It is suggested that RXM produce some clinically beneficial effect through an immunological and or anti-inflammatory mechanisms in addition to its antibiotic effect.