Comparative efficacy and tolerability of cephradine and cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of acute dysuria and/or frequency in general practice.

One hundred and thirteen patients with dysuria and/or frequency were treated randomly with either 500 mg cephradine 12-hourly or 125 mg cefuroxime axetil 12-hourly, for seven days. A total of 71 patients were found to have urinary infection: bacteriological cure rates were 97% one week post-treatment, and 96% five weeks post-treatment, for both antibiotics. On direct questioning, adverse events were reported by eight patients out of 59 taking cephradine and by three of 54 who had received cefuroxime axetil. However, only three and one respectively stopped taking the antibiotic due to the adverse event. Analysis of diary cards, completed by 109 patients, showed a significantly higher incidence of increased frequency of bowel movements in those taking cefuroxime axetil. It is concluded that both antibiotics are of equal value in the treatment of simple acute urinary infections in general practice.