This study examined the efficacy and safety of a new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor of Amoxicillin/Sulbactam(Sultamox®) compared with Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid(Augmentin®) in Bronchial asthma with mixed infection.

A randomized, controlled study was conducted in 56 patients who are diagnosed as Bronchial asthma with mixed infection. The patients were randomly assigned to receive Sultamox® 1500mg or Augmentin® 1200mg intravenously 3 times daily during admission period. Sputum culture, CBC and blood chemistry were taken before, during and after treatment. Symptom scores for cough, sputum amount, sputum color and dyspnea were graded from 1(no symptom) to 4(severe symptom). All patients were evaluated for clinical efficacy on clinical, microbiological responses and side effects or toxicities.

In Sultamox® treatment group, reduction of total symptom score was 2.54 and it was 2.40 in the Augmentin® treatment group which revealed a statistically significant difference(p<0.01). The clinical success rate were 86.7%(n=30) for the 30 clinically evaluable patients who received Sultamox? and 73.1%(n=26) for the 26 clinically evaluable patients who received Augmetin?. Drug-related serious adverse events were not occurred in all patients.

Sultamox® and Augmentin® are as effective and safe as the comparative therapies for community acquired lower respiratory tract of asthma patients.