Could a common antibiotic ease severe wheezing in young children?

NCT ID NCT04669288

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: University of Arizona Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study investigates whether a 5-day course of oral azithromycin can reduce wheezing severity in preschool children (18 months to under 5 years) who come to the emergency department with a severe wheezing episode. Children are randomly assigned to receive either azithromycin or a placebo, and parents track symptoms daily using a validated diary. The goal is to see if the antibiotic improves recovery and reduces the need for further medical care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: azithromycin
What this could lead to: If effective, azithromycin could become a standard short-term treatment to ease severe wheezing episodes in young children, reducing symptoms and hospital stays.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 3 trial, but results may vary by child. Azithromycin is an antibiotic, so overuse could contribute to resistance, and it may not work for all wheezing causes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

asthma Respiratory Sounds

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ASTHMA WHEEZING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Children's Hospital of New York Medical Center

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
The Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

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