Cefuroxime axetil (CXM-AX) is a new cephem oral antibiotic which is absorbed as CXM through de-esterification in the intestinal mucosa to exhibit antibacterial activity. Therefore, it shows antibacterial activity equal to that of CXM and is relatively stable to β-lactamases. Clinical efficacy, safety and usefulness of CXM-AX were investigated in the treatment of urinary tract infections.<BR>CXM-AX was administered to a total of 44 cases; 22 cases of acute uncomplicated cystitis, 1 of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis, 15 of chronic complicated urinary tract infections, 4 of gonococcal urethritis, 1 of acute prostatitis, and 1 of chronic prostatitis.<BR>Clinical efficacy was assessed according to the UTI criteria in the cases assessable under the criteria, and by physicians in charge in the remaining cases unassessable under the criteria. Clinical effects according to the UTI criteria were: excellent in 11 out of 13 cases (85%) in acute uncomplicated cystitis, with the efficacy rate of 100%, and excellent in 9 out of 12 cases in chronic complicated UTI, with the efficacy rate of 75%. It is guessed that the relatively good resultsin chronic complicated UTI were partly due to the absence of catheter indwelt cases. Clinical effects were assessed as excellent in all of the cases of gonococcal urethritis, and fair in chronic prostatitis, and excellent in acute prostatitis.<BR>As to adverse event, gastric discomfort was observed only in 1 case.<BR>From the above results, CXM-AX was considered to be a useful antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections.