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The clinical effectiveness of cefaclor 500 mg three times daily in the treatment of acute infective exacerbations of chronic bronchitis has been investigated by a double-blind comparison with amoxycillin in the same dose in 30 in-patients and 50 out-patients. The two antibiotics were equally effective, in terms of resolution of presenting symptoms, sputum conversion and fall in 24 h sputum weight. Side effects were infrequent. Serum and sputum concentrations of antibiotics and 24 h urinary recovery were measured in 27 patients. Concentration of both cefaclor and amoxycillin was found to be significantly lower in mucoid sputum than in purulent sputum, in contrast to earlier reports in the case of amoxycillin. No clinical advantage was apparent for patients achieving higher sputum concentration of either antibiotic.