840 Participants Needed

Azithromycin for Wheezing in Preschoolers

(AZ-SWED Trial)

Recruiting at 7 trial locations
LF
FD
RR
Overseen ByRichard Ruddy, MD
Age: < 18
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 3
Sponsor: University of Arizona
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if giving preschool children with severe wheezing a medicine called Azithromycin can reduce their symptoms. The study includes children with and without certain bacteria in their noses. The goal is to see if the medicine helps by reducing bacterial infections or improving wheezing overall. Azithromycin has been studied for its potential to reduce severe asthma symptoms, with mixed results in different patient groups.

Research Team

CC

Charlie Casper, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

KD

Kurt Denninghoff, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

FD

Fernando D Martinez, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for preschool children aged 18 months to under 60 months who are experiencing a severe wheezing episode and have been assessed at the emergency department. They must not have used antibiotics or steroids for wheezing in the past two weeks, among other health criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

Your Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measurement (PRAM) score was 4 or higher at any point during the emergency room visit.
I am between 18 and 59 months old.
A doctor or nurse heard wheezing when I breathed out during my ED visit.

Exclusion Criteria

Criterion: You have a long-term illness or condition that could affect your ability to participate in the study, such as seizures, developmental delays, or chronic lung disease. You have certain heart problems, were born prematurely, or have a history of certain medical procedures. You have certain allergies, are currently involved in another medical study, or cannot speak English or Spanish.
I have taken antibiotics in the last 2 weeks.
I have used steroids for wheezing in the last 2 weeks.
See 2 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Day 0
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive either Azithromycin or placebo for 5 days, with daily electronic transmission of the Asthma Flare-up Diary for Young Children (ADYC) and daily contact for compliance and complications assessment

5 days
Home-based administration

Follow-up

A subset of participants will have follow-up visits to assess antibiotic resistance and treatment response related changes in the airway microbiome

21 days
2 visits (in-person) on Day 5-8 and Day 14-21

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Azithromycin
  • Placebo
Trial OverviewThe AZ-SWED study tests if Azithromycin (12 mg/kg/day for 5 days) helps improve severe wheezing episodes in young children compared to a placebo. The effect is measured using daily caregiver reports and follow-up visits, with some focus on bacterial presence.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Treatment - ActiveActive Control1 Intervention
Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (1:1) and one arm will be administered the active drug per the randomization schedule. Study medication will be provided to parents/guardians, along with instructions, for home-based administration. The first dose of the study medication will be administered before discharge from the ED.
Group II: Treatment - PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (1:1) and one arm will be administered placebo per the randomization schedule. Study medication will be provided to parents/guardians, along with instructions, for home-based administration. The first dose of the study medication will be administered before discharge from the ED.

Azithromycin is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:

🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Azithromycin for:
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Malaria
  • Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Azithromycin for:
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Malaria
  • Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Azithromycin for:
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Malaria
  • Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials
545
Recruited
161,000+

University of Utah

Collaborator

Trials
1,169
Recruited
1,623,000+

Emory University

Collaborator

Trials
1,735
Recruited
2,605,000+

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

Collaborator

Trials
10
Recruited
5,012,000+

University of Pittsburgh

Collaborator

Trials
1,820
Recruited
16,360,000+

Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Wisconsin

Collaborator

Trials
56
Recruited
93,300+

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Collaborator

Trials
749
Recruited
11,400,000+

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Collaborator

Trials
844
Recruited
6,566,000+

Boston Children's Hospital

Collaborator

Trials
801
Recruited
5,584,000+