Oral β‐Lactams for Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Point‐Counterpoint Comparison With Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and Fluoroquinolones

Although not traditionally recognized as first-line therapy, select oral β-lactams demonstrated effectiveness comparable to FQs or TMP/SMX for cUTIs and bacteremic UTI and can serve as effective alternatives in appropriately selected patients. When optimally dosed, these β-lactams achieve comparable outcomes with favorable safety profiles and antimicrobial stewardship advantages. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these observational findings and to better define optimal dosing strategies and shorter treatment durations.