title: A comparison of cefaclor versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination in the treatment of acute urinary infections.
abstract: Acute lower urinary tract infections were treated in 57 women according to a randomized protocol, using either cefaclor, a cephalosporin whose chemical structure is similar to that of cephalexin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination. Urine cultures were made before treatment was started, midway through the 10-day course of therapy, 1 week after therapy and 4 to 6 weeks after therapy, if possible. Urine cultures in 100 per cent of the patients became sterile during therapy and remained so 1 week after therapy. Of those patients undergoing followup cultures 4 to 6 weeks after therapy 98 per cent had sterile urine. Twenty-nine patients were randomized to cefaclor therapy and 28 received a trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination. There was no difference between the 2 drugs studied in terms of efficacy. No side effects were noted with cefaclor and 2 minor side effects were noted with the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination. Cefaclor in a twice daily dosage schedule appears to be a safe and useful drug in the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by the common gram-negative organisms and it appears to be as efficacious as the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002433:Cefaclor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011513:Proteus mirabilis; D011897:Random Allocation; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; D004338:Drug Combinations; D002433:Cefaclor; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole; D002506:Cephalexin