Bacampicillin vs. amoxicillin for treatment of acute infections of the urinary tract.

Orally administered bacampicillin (400 mg twice daily for 10 days) was as effective as orally administered amoxicillin (250 mg thrice daily for 10 days) for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated infections of the urinary tract in young women. A satisfactory clinical response was produced by bacampicillin in 71 (98.6%) of 72 patients and by amoxicillin in 73 (98.6%) of 74 patients. A satisfactory bacteriologic response was produced by bacampicillin in 69 (95.8%) of 72 patients and by amoxicillin in 72 (97.3%) of 74 patients. In a subset of the patients, bacampicillin and amoxicillin were equally effective in the treatment of infections of the upper and lower urinary tract, as determined by the fluorescent antibody-coated bacterial test of localization. Both bacampicillin and amoxicillin were well tolerated. Allergic skin reactions occurred in two (2.7%) of 74 patients receiving amoxicillin but in none of the patients receiving bacampicillin. Mild diarrhea occurred in two (2.8%) of 72 patients receiving bacampicillin and in two (2.7%) of 74 patients receiving amoxicillin. Bacampicillin administered twice daily may offer several advantages over drugs given three times a day (e.g., amoxicillin) or four times a day (e.g., ampicillin). These advantages might include lower cost, better compliance with treatment regimen, and fewer allergic episodes and adverse reactions.