Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole versus Placebo for Uncomplicated Skin Abscess.

ABSTRACT:

Background

U.S. emergency department visits for cutaneous abscess have increased with the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The role of antibiotics for patients with a drained abscess is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a randomized trial at five U.S. emergency departments to determine whether trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (at doses of 320 mg and 1600 mg, respectively, twice daily, for 7 days) would be superior to placebo in outpatients older than 12 years of age who had an uncomplicated abscess that was being treated with drainage. The primary outcome was clinical cure of the abscess, assessed 7 to 14 days after the end of the treatment period.

Results

The median age of the participants was 35 years (range, 14 to 73); 45.3% of the particip

SUBMITTER: Talan DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4851110 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature