A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Short-Course, Once-Daily Levofloxacin Versus Ofloxacin Twice Daily in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

Uncomplicated UTIs are a frequently occurring infection, especially in young women. In this comparative study, patients were assigned randomly to 3 days of levofloxacin 250 mg once daily or ofloxacin 200 mg twice daily. Microbiologic and clinical outcomes were assessed after therapy (5-9 days) and after the study (4-6 weeks). At the posttherapy (test-of-cure) visit, 96.3% of pathogens were eradicated in the levofloxacin group, compared with 93.6% for ofloxacin. Symptoms were resolved or improved to the point where no further antibiotics were required in 98.1% of patients receiving levofloxacin and 97% of those receiving ofloxacin. The authors conclude that the short course regimens of levofloxacin and ofloxacin were equally effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.