Relative efficacy of carbenicillin indanyl sodium and of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in urinary-tract infections.

In a 10-day study, carbenicillin indanyl sodium cured urinary-tract infections in 22 of 30 patients (ages, 24-91). In 3 of the remaining patients the treatment was a failure; in 3 others the drug had to be discontinued because of diarrhea and vomiting; and in 2 instances it induced overgrowth of Candida albicans in the urine. Carbenicillin was lethal to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in all 9 cases, to Proteus mirabilis in all 6 cases, and to enterococcus in all 3 cases. A trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole combination cured urinary-tract infections in 18 of 30 other patients (ages, 28-91), but failed in 3. In 3 patients it gave rise to a skin rash; in 2 to elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels; in 1 to neutropenia; and in 1 to overgrowth of Candida albicans in the urine. Reinfection occurred in 2 patients. Carbenicillin indanyl sodium was more effective than the sulfonamide/trimethoprim combination.