Randomized comparative study of moxalactam and cefazolin in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections in adults.

Eighty-nine patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of acute urinary tract infection were randomized to therapy with either moxalactam (500 mg) or cefazolin (1 g) every 12 h. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen in both groups (92.6 versus 90.2%). Therapy was continued for 3 days after the patient defervesced. The minimum hospital stay was 5 days. Sequential urine cultures were obtained on day 3, at discharge, and 5 to 10 days after the cessation of therapy. THe average duration of hospital stay was 5.6 days for both groups of patients. THe incidence of recurrent infection was similar in uncomplicated patients (9.1 versus 10%) and in complicated patients with a condition predisposing them to urinary tract infections (43 versus 42%). Moxalactam-treated patients had a higher incidence of reversible hepatic enzyme elevation (36%) and Streptococcus faecalis superinfections (12.2%). Moxalactam is as effective as cefazolin for the elimination of gram-negative pathogens from the urine of patients with acute urinary tract infections, but it is associated with a higher incidence of reversible side effects.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes