title: Ofloxacin versus trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in general practice.
abstract: A large-scale, randomised, multicentre single-blind clinical trial was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy and tolerance of ofloxacin, trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in general practice. A total of 1,069 patients from 76 centres across the UK were enrolled in the study, and randomised to one of the following treatment groups: ofloxacin (200 mg od), trimethoprim (200 mg bd) or co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim 160 mg and sulphamethoxazole 800 mg bd). Each patient received five days of medication. Clinically, ofloxacin was as effective as trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole. However, the bacteriological cure rate was significantly better for ofloxacin, with eradication of the initial causative pathogen by the end of treatment in 92% of patients in the ofloxacin group, compared with 81% for trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole (P = 0.0002). There was also a lower relapse rate for ofloxacin. Ofloxacin was well tolerated: adverse events were reported by 67 (12.4%) patients in the ofloxacin group, compared with 48 (18.7%) patients in the co-trimoxazole group and 37 (13.6%) patients in the trimethoprim group. Ofloxacin can therefore be considered a suitable alternative for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D015242:Ofloxacin; D014295:Trimethoprim