Double-blind comparison of sulphonamide-trimethoprim combinations in acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections

The effects of a twice daily dosage of a combination of 410 mg sulphadiazine + 90 mg trimethoprim (SD + TMP) and 800 mg sulphamethoxazole + 160 mg trimethoprim (SMZ + TMP) were compared in uncomplicated urinary tract infections. All but one patient in each treatment group, i.e. 36 SD + TMP treated and 42 SMZ + TMP treated patients respectively, were cured. The percentage of side-effects related to therapy in the patients receiving the combination with sulphadiazine was 15.1% and in those with sulphamethoxazole 23.7%. Due to the small number tested, however, differences were not statistically different. It is noteworthy that only one of the SD + TMP patients had to stop therapy because of a rash, whereas therapy was stopped for this reason in three of the SMZ + TMP patients. SD + TMP represents a good alternative to SMZ + TMP in the treatment of urinary tract infections.