ONE BOLUS DOSE OF GENTAMICIN AND EARLY ORAL-THERAPY VERSUS CEFOTAXIMEAND SUBSEQUENT ORAL-THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF FEBRILE URINARY-TRACTINFECTION

The efficacy and safety of two different regimens for parenteral treat ment of presumed severe febrile urinary tract infection were compared in a randomized study. One hundred fifty-eight patients were treated w ith either cefotaxime 2 g i.v. twice daily for at least two days follo wed by norfloxacin 400 mg twice daily orally or one bolus dose of gent amicin 3 mg/kg i.v. and norfloxacin from the start. Three patients ran domized to cefotaxime died. Of the 101 patients with verified urinary tract infection, clinical response to assigned therapy was seen in 79% and 74%, respectively. There was no difference in fever duration betw een the two regimens. The results indicate that one bolus dose of gent amicin with early oral therapy is a safe and effective alternative to common parenteral regimens for empirical treatment of febrile urinary tract infection.