Cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of uncomplicated UTI: a comparison with cefaclor and augmentin

Cefuroxime axetil (CAE) is an acetoxyethyl ester prodrug of cefuroxime. The efficacy and safety of cefuroxime axetil was studied in a randomized general practice trial in urological infections where cefuroxime axetil 250 mg b.d. was compared with amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin, AUG) 375 mg t.d.s. A randomized trial was then performed in hospital outpatients, who received cefuroxime axetil 250 mg b.d. or cefaclor (CCL) 250 mg t.d.s. Of 140 clinically assessable patients, 108 were cured and 28 improved on cefuroxime axetil (97% success) compared with 75 cured and 13 improved out of 89 on Augmentin (99% success) and 31 cured and 7 improved out of 38 patients treated with cefaclor (97% success). Bacteriology was assessable in 101 patients given cefuroxime axetil (72% cleared), 61 of those given Augmentin (70% cleared) and 27 out of 28 (96%) given cefaclor. As expected, the predominant pathogen was E. coli, accounting for 61% of isolates overall. Drug-related adverse events occurred in 10% of patients given cefuroxime axetil, including diarrhoea in 4%. Eleven percent of patients given Augmentin suffered adverse events (5% diarrhoea) and 5% of those given cefaclor. Superinfections occurred in 4 cefaclor patients (2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 Candida, 1 E. coli) compared with 2 on cefuroxime axetil (1 Candida, 1 E. coli). Uncomplicated UTI accounted for 92% of cases in the G.P. trial and 82% of cases in the hospital trial. Cefuroxime axetil may be used safely and effectively to treat uncomplicated UTI at a dose of 250 mg b.d.