A comparative study of cefadroxil and co-trimoxazole in patients with lower respiratory tract infections

The most common causative pathogens in lower respiratory disease are S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and S. pyogenes. Cefadroxil and co-trimoxazole, both orally administered broad spectrum antibiotics, are effective against these organisms when given in a twice-daily regimen. In this open randomised study, 42 patients with lower respiratory tract infections received cefadroxil 1 g or co-trimoxazole 1 double-strength tablet every 12 hours for a mean duration of 11 and 13 days, respectively. Pathogens were isolated in the pre-treatment sputum of 51% of patients given cefadroxil and in 25% of those who received co-trimoxazole. Similar overall cure rates were observed after treatment with cefadroxil (67%) and co-trimoxazole (60%); sputum purulence was similarly diminished by both drugs (91% and 85%, respectively). Neither antibiotic caused serious side effects. Thus, in a convenient twice-daily regimen, cefadroxil and co-trimoxazole are comparably effective in treating lower respiratory tract infections.