Different lengths of treatment with co-trimoxazole for acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare three days' and seven days' treatment with co-trimoxazole in women with acute dysuria, strangury, and urinary frequency or urgency. DESIGN: Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING: General practices in the south east of The Netherlands. PATIENTS: 327 Non-pregnant female patients aged 12 to 65. INTERVENTION: 161 Women were allocated to three days' treatment (co-trimoxazole 960 mg twice a day), and 166 women were allocated to seven days' treatment (co-trimoxazole 960 mg twice a day). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Resolution of symptoms at one, two, and six weeks. RESULTS: The rates for resolution of symptoms were not significantly different between the two groups. Cumulative rates of recurrence after three days' and seven days' treatment were 31/139 (22%) and 23/151 (15%) respectively six weeks after entry (p = 0.16). Adverse effects occurred in a quarter of women given three days' treatment compared with a third of women receiving seven days' treatment (p = 0.29). In only two patients did adverse effects necessitate stopping treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Three days of co-trimoxazole seems to be as effective as a seven days' course for treating acute urinary tract infection in non-pregnant women.