Comparison of the efficacy of the association of ambroxol versus cephalexin and cephalexin in clinical cure of acute strep throat that causes mucus production

Objective. To determine the efficacy of the association of cephalexin and ambroxol in the treatment of bacterial pharyngitis associated with production of secretions. Material and MethOds. It was a controlled, double blind, prospective clinical trial. We evaluated a population of 72 patients from 18 to 65 year-old who attended to five private clinics, during the period of May 2012 and July 2013. The cases were patients with diagnosis of sore throat by β-hemolytic Streptococcus Group A based on clinical criteria and a positive rapid test for Streptococcus Group A. The clinical diagnosis was sore throat associated with two or more of the following signs: fever > 38 °C; erythema of the uvula and pharynx, or tonsils; edema of the uvula, pharynx, or tonsils; exudate in the pharynx, or tonsils; and, cervical lymphadenopathy. In addition, patients had to have production of secretions (productive cough). Results. Further improvement of symptoms in the second control (day 11) was found in the group treated with cephalexin and ambroxol than in the group with cephalexin alone (p < 0,05). Conclusion. The association cephalexin-ambroxol is more effective than the single cephalexin in patients with streptococcal acute sore throat with production of secretions.