Loracarbef versus cefaclor in the treatment of cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria

In this double-blind study, 333 patients (16 males, 317 females) with cystitis or asymptomatic bacteriuria were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg of loracarbef once daily (n = 164; mean age, 36 years) or 250 mg of cefaclor thrice daily (n = 169; mean age, 37 years) for seven days. Cystitis was diagnosed in 97.8% of the evaluable loracarbef-treated patients and 94.4% of the evaluable cefaclor-treated patients. Clinical and bacteriologic responses were assessed in 92 loracarbef-treated patients and 107 cefaclor-treated patients. At the five- to nine-day posttreatment evaluation, a clinical cure was found in 84.5% of the loracarbef-treated patients and in 79.4% of the cefaclor-treated patients and improvement in 3.3% and 7.5%, respectively. The pathogen was eliminated in 76.1% and 72.9%, respectively; new pathogens were identified in 4.3% and 4.7%, respectively; and the original pathogen was not eliminated or recurred in 19.6% and 21.5%, respectively. Nausea was the most frequently reported adverse event (in 4.5% of all patients). The results indicate that both loracarbef and cefaclor are safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.