Cefotaxime and cefazolin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections: a comparative study

The efficacy of two dosages of cefotaxime (500 mg versus 1,000 mg) administered intramuscularly every eight hours was compared in two groups of patients with complicated urinary tract infections. No significant difference was found between the two groups. In a randomized study, a group of patients treated with 500 mg cefotaxime intramuscularly every eight hours was compared with a group of patients treated with 1,000 mg cefazolin intramuscularly every eight hours. All patients had complicated urinary tract infections and were comparable in age and underlying urologic disorders. Both drugs were well tolerated. Cure of the urinary tract infection, defined as a negative culture five to nine days after treatment, was obtained in 71% of the cefotaxime group and 60% of the cefazolin group. There was no statistical difference between these results. This study demonstrated that cefotaxime is safe and useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections.