Randomized study to evaluate efficacy and safety of ofloxacin vs. trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

The efficacy and safety of ofloxacin taken orally once a day for three days was compared with a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) taken orally twice a day for seven days in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection. The diagnosis was established by the presence of symptoms including dysuria, frequency, suprapubic pain, and urgency. Bacteriuria was confirmed by a urine culture of a minimum of 10(5) organisms per mL, of at least one species. A treatment course of ofloxacin, once-a-day for three days, was as safe and effective as a standard course of TMP/SMX, twice a day for seven days.

Suppression of atrial ectopy with intravenous metoprolol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

To determine the efficacy of a cardioselective beta blocker in the treatment of atrial ectopy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we administered intravenous metoprolol (0.2 mg/kg) to six patients with atrial ectopic depolarizations (AEDs) and chronic partially reversible airflow limitation (FEV1 = 1.24 +/- 0.21 liter, mean +/- S.E.). Metoprolol reduced the mean frequency of AEDs from 713 +/- 237 per hour to 218 +/- 127 per hour. Furthermore, three of six patients experienced an 85 per cent or greater decrease in AEDs. No changes were observed in FEV1, FVC, or FEF25-75 over the course of the study. These data suggest that intravenous metoprolol is effective in reducing the frequency of AEDs and that it can be administered to patients with COPD without causing an increase in airflow limitation.