Urinary tract infections (UTIs)are bacterial infections of the urinary tract.
If you are diagnosed with a UTI, your healthcare provider will prescribeantibiotics.
Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin are no longer routinely recommended due to their side effects and increasing bacterial resistance.
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These antibiotics may include:
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is effective against most bacteria that commonly cause UTIs.
There is minimal bacterial resistance to nitrofurantoin, making it a good first-line option.
If prescribed nitrofurantoin, you will typically take it for five days.
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is a combination medication containing two antibiotics.
Although it can be an effective treatment for UTIs, in recent years, bacterial resistance has increased.
Therefore, this drug is usually only used in areas where the resistance rate is less than 20%.
This antibiotic cannot be taken by people who areallergic to sulfa drugs.
If prescribed it, you will typically take it for three days.
Fosfomycin
Fosfomycin is another suitable antibiotic option for UTIs due to minimal bacterial resistance.
However, it comes off as less effective than other standard short-course treatments.
The treatment course is just a single dose, making it a convenient option.
You do not need to take it with food.
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that include ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin.
These medications should be used only if other options are not suitable.
Increasing bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones has made this class of antibiotics less useful for UTI treatment in recent years.
How Do Antibiotics Treat UTIs?
Other common side effects include the following:
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
Most side effects are mild and temporary while taking antibiotics.
How Long Do Antibiotics Take to Treat a UTI?
Symptoms of a UTI improve rapidly after starting antibiotics, usually within a few hours.
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics work to treat an infection by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
Once you start antibiotics, you should start feeling better in the first day or two.
This is because the antibiotic kills bacteria and decreases your bodys inflammatory response to infection.
Even though you feel better, its important to keep taking the antibiotics until you finish the entire course.
It takes time to kill all of the bacteria causing infection.
Stopping antibiotics too early could cause the infection to return and lead to bacteria developing antibiotic resistance.
Resistance shows up when bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic but not completely killed.
Are There Over-the-Counter Remedies for UTIs?
You should always see a healthcare provider if you suspect a UTI.
Summary
UTIs are a common bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs are nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and fosfomycin.
Most antibiotic regimens for UTIs are one to five days in length.
Frequently Asked Questions
When treating a UTI, healthcare providers select an antibiotic empirically.
They will also consider patient-specific data such as drug allergies.
Because culture results take one to two days, they are not helpful for initial antibiotic selection.
All of the most commonly used antibiotics kill bacteria in the urine.
Yes, though the choice of antibiotic may differ for non-pregnant people.
Yes, antibiotics are needed to clear a bacterial infection.
If your symptoms return after finishing antibiotics, return to see a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.
2021;225(3):272.e1-272.e11.
doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.218
DailyMed.Label: MONUROL- fosfomycin tromethamine powder.
DailyMed.Label: MACROBID- nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystalline capsule.
DailyMed.Label: BACTRIM DS- sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablet, BACTRIM DS- sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About antimicrobial resistance.
DailyMed.Label: AZO URINARY PAIN RELIEF MAXIMUM STRENGTH- phenazopyridine hydrochloride tablet.
