SINGLE DOSE ANTIBIOTICS IN UTI: CURRENT STATUS

Not only effective, they also have some bonus points in their favour Single dose treatment of UTI has many advantages: it minimises the development of bacterial resistance; reduces cost; and improves patient acceptability and compliance. Recent studies have assessed the efficacy of various antibacterials in treating uncomplicated infections. The success rates using single doses of 2.88g, 1.92g or 0.96g co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim­sulfamethaxazole) were comparable with a 5-day course of this drug. However, it is suggested that the minimum dose should be 1.92g. Sulfadoxine 2g and sulphafurazole (sulfisoxazole) have been successfully used in single doses, as have I g or 3g of amoxycillin. Furthermore, there was less of an effect on faecal flora with I g amoxycillin. This may reduce both the incidence of diarrhoea and the chance of resistance developing. Patients likely to respond to single dose therapy are those with simple infections as indicated by their symptoms, and those without antibody-coated bacteria in the urine (although unfortunately this is an unsuitable test for routine practice). 'In addition, failure to eradicate a urinary tract infection after single dose therapy may indicate which patients require further investigation.' Editorial: Lancet I : 26 (3 Jan 1981)

0156-2703/81/0124-0003 $00.50/0 CADIS Press INPHARMA 24 Jan 1981 3