Brodimoprim is a new diaminopyridine derivative suitable for oral
therapy which shows good in-vitro activity against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The efficacy and tolerability of
brodimoprim in acute lower
respiratory tract infections was tested in controlled clinical trials in comparison with different classes of
antibiotics. Acute
bacterial infections or infective exacerbations of chronic obstructive
bronchitis were included in the studies.
Brodimoprim in a single dose was compared to different oral treatments which included
co-trimoxazole (
trimethoprim 160 mg+sulphamethoxazole 800 mg every 12 hours) and
erythromycin (600 mg three times a day). In the studies criteria of efficacy such as daily temperature curve, intensity and frequency of
cough, degree of
dyspnea, intensity of thoracic
pain, difficulty of expectoration, sputum production, thoracic semiology were examined.
Brodimoprim was more effective than
cotrimoxazole and
erythromycin at the end of the treatment, induring a more significant and prompt reduction of axillary temperature, daily sputum volume, degree of
dyspnea. There was no difference among treatments in the mean period of
therapy to obtain the resolution of the infective process (8 days on average).
Brodimoprim had a significantly lower percentage of side effects during the treatment in comparison with
cotrimoxazole or
erythromycin. Hence
brodimoprim was better accepted by patients.