A comparative randomized study to evaluate the effect of azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops versus moxifloxacin 0.5% eyedrops on bacterial conjunctivitis

Objective To evaluate the effect of azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops versus moxifloxacin 0.5% eyedrops on bacterial conjunctivitis. Background Purulent bacterial conjunctivitis affects all ages, with high frequency in newborns and children. This study evaluates the effect of azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops with moxifloxacin 0.5% eyedrops in treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Patients and methods A prospective comparative randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted that included 100 participants with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis at Menoufia outpatient clinic. Patients received either azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops twice daily for 7 days or moxifloxacin 0.5% eyedrops three times per day for 7 days. The primary variable was clinical cure at days 3 and 7 on the worst eye. The cure was defined as absence of purulent discharge and bulbar conjunctivitis. Results Overall, 88% of patients in the azithromycin group and 90% in the moxifloxacin group were clinically cured at D7. Clinical cure with azithromycin was not inferior to moxifloxacin at day 7, and discharge was absent in 92% of patients treated with azithromycin and 94% with moxifloxacin. Azithromycin and moxifloxacin were well tolerated. Conclusion Azithromycin 1.5% for 7 days was as effective as moxifloxacin for 7 days. Furthermore, patients on azithromycin presented clinical cure on day 3 as patients on moxifloxacin.