Comparative Clinical Trial of Amoxycillin and Chloramphenicol in the Treatment of Typhoid in Adults

A randomized clinical trial in sixty-two adult patients suffering from typhoid fever, proved by blood and marrow culture, showed that amoxycillin in a dosage schedule of 1 g 8-hourly orally for fourteen days was better than chloramphenicol with regard to clinical and temperature response and in respect of carriers and relapse rates. One patient developed a hypersensitivity reaction to amoxycillin which cleared on withdrawal of the drug. Success was achieved in 90% of cases. These findings lend very strong support to the value of amoxycillin as a superior alternative to chloramphenicol in the treatment of typhoid fever.