COMPLICATED URINARY-INFECTION IN SPINAL-INJURY PATIENTS - FLEROXACIN COMPARED WITH CIPROFLOXACIN

The efficacy and safety of fleroxacin and ciprofloxacin were evaluated in a single-centre, prospective, randomised, blinded study of patient s with complicated urinary infection in a spinal injury unit. Patients were randomised to receive oral fleroxacin 400 mg once daily (n = 68) or oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily (n = 65) for 10 days. Clinic al cure assessed 5-9 days after therapy was obtained in 41 of 42 (98%) assessable patients in the fleroxacin group, and in 41 of 43 (95%) of the ciprofloxacin group, and was maintained at the 6-week follow-up v isit in all but 1 patient in each group. Bacteriological eradication r ates 5-9 days after therapy exceeded 88% in the fleroxacin group and 8 6% in the ciprofloxacin group, and 69 and 65%, respectively, 6 weeks a fter completion of therapy. Adverse events occurred in a similarly low percentage of patients (19 and 20%) in both treatment groups, and con sisted primarily of nausea. Once daily fleroxacin appears to be as saf e and effective as twice daily ciprofloxacin and both represent effica cious treatment in complicated urinary infection in spinal injury pati ents.