Fosfomycin Trometamol versus Norfloxacin in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections of the Elderly

Ten years of controlled clinical trials supported single-dose therapy efficacy and safety in uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (UTI). Both local and systematic factors contribute to the high UTI prevalence seen in elderly people. A controlled open randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a new fosfomycin derivative (fosfomycin trometamol) given in a single dose in the treatment of uncomplicated lower UTIs in 60 elderly subjects (mean age 68.4 years). A single 3-gram fosfomycin trometamol dose was compared to a 7-day treatment with norfloxacin 400 mg b.i.d. Midstream urocultures and susceptibility tests were performed to diagnose a UTI and at 3–5 and 25–35 days after discontinuation of therapies. Our results, showing comparable clinical and bacteriological resolution rates in both groups (76.6 and 73.3% in the fosfomycin-trometamol- and norfloxacin-treated subjects, respectively), support the single-dose fosfomycin trometamol efficacy in uncomplicated lower UTIs in an elderly population, suggesting it as a convincing alternative to longer therapeutic regimens.