Cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of cutaneous infections

A multicenter clinical trial was conducted in 125 out-patients with skin and skin structure infections due to bacteria in order to compare the safety and efficacy of cefuroxime axetil and cefaclor. Patients with a median age of 32 years were randomly allocated to treatment for 10 days with one of three treatments: cefuroxime axetil 250 mg b.i.d., cefuroxime axetil 500 mg b.i.d., or cefaclor 250 mg t.i.d. Clinical evaluations of each patient were done pre-treatment, 2 to 4 days intra-treatment, and within 3 days post-treatment. One patient discontinued cefuroxime axetil due to severe urticaria and one patient discontinued cefaclor due to a persistent headache and vomiting. Cefuroxime axetil was an effective antibacterial agent for treatment of common skin infections. Clinically beneficial outcome was achieved for 92% (cefuroxime axetil 250 mg b.i.d.), 95% (cefuroxime axetil 500 mg b.i.d.), and 97% (cefaclor 250 mg t.i.d.) of patients. Since the study failed to demonstrate a significant advantage of higher dosage, cefuroxime axetil should be prescribed in a regimen of 250 mg twice a day for patients with skin infections.