The objective of a double-blind, multicenter, randomized, comparative study by J.L. Fourcroy et al. (USA), was an evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the use of ciprofloxacin slow-release form (ciprofloxacin OD) at a dose of 500 mg once a day compared to the dosage form of the drug immediate release at a dose of 250 mg twice a day for 3 days for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.

The study included 523 adult patients (average age 39 years) who received outpatient treatment, with clinical manifestations of acute uncomplicated UTI, confirmed by the positive results of a study of urine culture before treatment ( more than 105 CFU / ml). 272 of them received ciprofloxacin OD, 251 received ordinary ciprofloxacin. Patients were evaluated at the healing evaluation visit (4 to 11 days after the end of treatment) and at the follow-up visit (4 to 6 weeks after the end of treatment).

The bacteriological efficacy of the treatment (eradication rate) during the healing evaluation visit in patients receiving ciprofloxacin OD was not lower than that in patients receiving regular ciprofloxacin (93.4% vs 89.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.99, 8.59%). The clinical efficacy (recovery frequency) during this period also did not differ significantly in the two groups (85.7% vs 86.1%; 95% CI, -6.37%, 5.57%). During the follow-up visit, the bacteriological and clinical efficacy did not differ significantly for the two treatment regimens and was comparable to those of the visit to assess recovery.

Both modes were well tolerated, but the incidence of nausea and diarrhea was significantly lower in the group of patients receiving ciprofloxacin OD compared to those receiving the immediate-release dosage form (nausea occurrence rate 0.6 % vs 2.2%, respectively; p = 0.033; diarrhea - 0.2% vs 1.4%, respectively; p = 0.037).

Thus, the use of the dosage form of ciprofloxacin in the slow-release form (once a day) is no less safe and effective compared to the use of the dosage form of the immediate-release drug (twice a day). day) in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections. In addition, the use of a delayed-release form was accompanied by a significantly lower incidence of nausea and diarrhea.