Treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection with ceftibuten

Ceftibuten is an orally active third generation cephalosporin with increased potency against members of the Enterobacteriaceae. In this study, 74 women with acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) were enrolled in an open study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this new antibiotic. Patients were treated with 400 mg ceftibuten once daily for seven days and followed for four to six weeks after cessation of therapy. All pathogens were eradicated during treatment, including five coagulase-negative staphylococci that were resistant to ceftibuten. At five to nine days posttreatment, 93% of patients were cured. Of the five recurrent infections, four patients had a relapse and one had a reinfection. By four to six weeks posttreatment, five additional patients had recurrent infections. The overall cure rate was 85% in this study. Most ceftibuten-associated adverse effects were mild and involved the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea was the most commonly reported side effect. Of the eight (11%) patients who developed diarrhea, three had a positive latex agglutination test for Clostridium difficile. The diarrhea resolved in all patients without sequelae. Ceftibuten was effective and generally safe in the treatment of women with acute uncomplicated UTI. The high incidence of diarrhea observed in this study is a concern.