Experiences on the efficacy and safety of nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, cinoxacin and norfloxacin in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI).

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of norfloxacin, cinoxacin and oxolinic acid in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) in comparison to nalidixic acid. 125 patients were given the drugs in the appropriate doses for 10-14 days and 30 patients were treated for six weeks. Clinical, bacteriological, hematological and chemical checks were made on all patients before and after treatment. It was found that norfloxacin, cinoxacin and oxolinic acid are safe and effective against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus, the commonly encountered organisms in urinary tract infections. The cure rate for norfloxacin was 93%, for cinoxacin 83%, for oxolinic acid 80% and for nalidixic acid 70% in the short course. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Oxolinic acid, cinoxacin and norfloxacin have the advantage over nalidixic acid of being administered only twice daily.