Fosfomycin: an old—new antibiotic

Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic discovered in Spain in 1969. It has bactericidal activity against a wide range of bacteria, including gram-negative micro-organisms and some gram-positive bacteria, such as staphylococci. Initially fosfomycin was administered parenterally and only to patients with severe infections. Today it is often dispensed as fosfomycin—trometamol, an oral formula recommended in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Fosfomycin—trometamol in a single dose is indicated for the treatment of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections.