Three-day treatment of acute lower urinary tract infections in women. A double-blind study with amoxycillin and co-trimazine.

The aim of this study was to determine if a three-day treatment of lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is effective. 215 women with symptoms of lower UTI, seen in general practice, were randomly allocated to a double-blind study and given either amoxycillin 1000 mg twice a day for three days or trimethoprim 90 mg/sulphadiazine 410 mg (co-trimazine) 2 tablets initially, then one tablet twice daily for three days. 157 women (73%) had significant bacteriuria. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in 146 patients. One week after treatment had started, 88% of the women in the amoxycillin group and 100% in the co-trimazine group were cured (p less than 0.01). After a follow-up period of four weeks, the cumulative relapse frequencies were 19% and 9% respectively. Adverse reactions were mild in most cases. Two patients, both on co-trimazine, had to discontinue treatment because of nausea and vomiting. Vulvovaginal irritation was more often reported by women treated with amoxycillin (n = 8) than by those treated with co-trimazine (n = 1) (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that a three-day course of amoxycillin or co-trimazine in lower UTI is safe, causes few adverse reactions, is simple to administer and comfortable for the patient. Co-trimazine seems to be more effective than amoxycillin.