Kampala — A NEW antibiotic for treating serious bacterial infections has been launched. Cefodox has been licensed and approved by the health ministry and the National Drug Authority.

The antibiotic is used to fight a wide range of strains of bacterial infections, which are increasingly becoming resistant to drugs. These are acute pneumonia, chronic lower and upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections lik e.coli.

Cefodox, available in tablet and syrup forms, is also effective against skin and soft tissue infections, acute otitis media (ear swelling), uncomplicated gonorrhea and rectal gonococcal infection in women.

The drug, available in pharmacies and drug shops across the country, is manufactured by the Jordon-based Pharma International.

Ahmed Hamid, the managing director of Wide Spectrum Enterprises, the country distributors, said Cefodox is recommended for all ages.

However, the drug has side-effects like diarrhoea, nausea, mild abdominal and chest pains, headache, dizziness and cough. The retail price for a dose of tablets is sh17,500 and sh14,000 for the syrup.

Dr. Emmanuel Sekasanvu, a specialist on urinary tract infections based at Mulago Hospital, said compared to other antibiotics, Cefodox was relatively cheaper and effective against most drug resistant bacterial infections.

He said it should, however, be taken following doctor's instructions.

Sekasanvu added that there had been increasing resistance to the world-reknown antibiotic, penicillin.

The state minister for primary health care, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, who launched the drug in Kampala on Friday, warned the public against self-medication.

He said it could spark off resistance, rendering the new drug useless.