Efficacy and tolerability of brodimoprim in respiratory tract infections

Brodimoprim is a new diaminopyridine derivative suitable for oral therapy which shows good in-vitro activity against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The efficacy and tolerability of brodimoprim in acute lower respiratory tract infections was tested in controlled clinical trials in comparison with different classes of antibiotics. Acute bacterial infections or infective exacerbations of chronic obstructive bronchitis were included in the studies. Brodimoprim in a single dose was compared to different oral treatments which included co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim 160 mg+sulphamethoxazole 800 mg every 12 hours) and erythromycin (600 mg three times a day). In the studies criteria of efficacy such as daily temperature curve, intensity and frequency of cough, degree of dyspnea, intensity of thoracic pain, difficulty of expectoration, sputum production, thoracic semiology were examined. Brodimoprim was more effective than cotrimoxazole and erythromycin at the end of the treatment, induring a more significant and prompt reduction of axillary temperature, daily sputum volume, degree of dyspnea. There was no difference among treatments in the mean period of therapy to obtain the resolution of the infective process (8 days on average). Brodimoprim had a significantly lower percentage of side effects during the treatment in comparison with cotrimoxazole or erythromycin. Hence brodimoprim was better accepted by patients.