COMPARISON OF SULFAMETHOXAZOLE ALONE AND COMBINED WITH TRIMETHOPRIM IN URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS

In a double blind, randomized study, sulfamethoxazole was compared alone and in combination with trimethoprim as commonly used in therapeutic regimes for the treatment of uncomplicated acute urinary tract infections in outpatients. The cure rate of sulfamethoxazole alone was 92.2%, and for sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim 97.6%. The rate of side-effects for the former was 5%, for the latter 21.8%. If the failure rate plus the rate of occurrence of rash, which necessitated discontinuing the drug, are combined, it appears that 8.8% of the patients were at a disadvantage receiving sulfamethoxazole compared to 9.7% for the combination of sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim. When considering the cure rate and rate of side-effects together, therefore, the position of sulfamethoxazole alone as a suitable drug in this type of infection is defended. © 1979 Verlagsgesellschaft Otto Spatz.