Best Antibiotics For Uti Treatment
According to International clinical guidelines on how to treat UTI, these are the best antibiotics for UTI. I have listed them in preference order according to the guidelines.
If you do not recognize some of the names on the list, it may be because some of these drugs are available in the EU, but not in the USA.
This list is only applicable to otherwise healthy and non-pregnant adults.
1.Nitrofurantoin
Brand names: Macrobid, Nitrofurantoin, Furadantin, Furalan, Macrodantin.
This is my favorite antibiotic for UTI treatment because it has the least impact on gut flora. Still, if you are taking Macrobid for UTI, check out my post on the pros and cons of nitrofurantoin. This antibiotic works best for UTIs caused by E. coli bacteria.
2. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Brand names: Septra, Bactrim, Sulfatrim.
This antibiotic is becoming less popular due to E. colis increasing resistance to it. In some studies, more than 34% of women diagnosed with a UTI had E. coli bacteria resistant to this group of antibiotics. However, it is still an excellent choice if you know that your bacteria are sensitive to it as it is a safe antibiotic.
3. Fosfomycin trometamol
Brand name: Monurol.
A single oral dose of fosfomycin trometamol, 3 g , get highly concentrated in the urine. Results of recent randomized trials show that single-dose was enough to treat an uncomplicated UTI in women.
4. Pivmecillinam
Brand names: Alexid, Dysedin, Penomax, Melysin, Selexid, Relexid, Emcil, Pivicil.
A Note About Sex And Gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms, male, female, or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. .
A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the bodys drainage system for removing urine. It consists of :
- The kidneys: organs that filter waste from the blood and produce 12 quarts of urine per day
- The ureters: the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder
- The bladder: the organ that stores urine
- The urethra: a tube at the bottom of the bladder that allows urine to exit the body
Most UTIs occur as a result of bacteria such as Escherichia coli . However, other types of pathogens, such as viruses and fungi, can also cause UTIs.
A UTI may occur when a pathogen enters the urethra and infects any part of the urinary tract. The infection can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, leading to symptoms
resistant infections that do not respond to traditional treatments and are more likely to result in potential complications.
Doctors may prescribe different antibiotics depending on whether the UTI is simple or complicated.
The type of antibiotic, the dose, and the length of treatment a doctor prescribes will depend on a persons health status and the bacteria found in the urine culture. For example, treatment for complicated UTIs may take 714 days and require broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics as well as hospitalization.
Doctors may prescribe the following first-line antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs:
Q: When Will A Doctor Prescribe A Single Dose Antibiotic For Uti
A: Single dose antibiotic treatment may be recommended if a woman has an uncomplicated UTI, a history of chronic UTIs, is sexually active, or has no other underlying conditions that might make this type of treatment ill-advised. Be aware, however, that as of this writing, not all doctors have warmed to or adopted the single dose antibiotic treatment idea.
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Can Doctors Treat Utis Via Telemedicine
Telemedicine is an increasingly popular method of treating UTIs. In addition to being convenient, its also discreet and frequently more affordable than an in-office visit.
Since doctors cant collect a urine specimen via telemedicine, they will typically make their diagnosis using a series of questions that identify and analyze your symptoms. Your telehealth provider will also want to know if you have a history of UTIs, as well as if there are any other factors that may complicate your UTI, such as pregnancy or a chronic health condition.
Ultimately, the fact that UTIs are extremely common assists physicians in their ability to accurately diagnose and treat UTIs online. In the event that your UTI symptoms present themselves as more severe or as something else entirely, your telemedicine professional will instruct you to visit another physician in the office for a follow-up or to perform a urinalysis. Most of the time, however, your telehealth provider can diagnose your infection and prescribe antibiotics via video alone. Certain telehealth providers may be able to fill your prescription as well, which can save you the expense of going through a pharmacy.
How Long To Take Antibiotics For A Uti
Very severe or complicated UTI cases may need up to 14 days of medication, but most patients with uncomplicated UTIs only require 3-7 days of treatment to fully eradicate their infection.
The exact number of doses needed depends on which antibiotic you are taking.
You should always make sure to take the full course of antibiotics that your healthcare provider prescribes to you to avoid antibiotic resistance in the future, even if symptoms improve before youre done.
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Practice Good Sexual Hygiene
The also says that sexual intercourse introduces bacteria and other microbes from outside the body to the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce the number of bacteria that people can transfer during intercourse and other sexual acts.
Examples of good sexual hygiene include:
- urinating before and immediately after sex
- using barrier contraception, such as a condom
- washing the genitals, especially the foreskin, before and after engaging in sexual acts or intercourse
- ensuring that sexual partners are aware of any current or previous UTIs
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Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories Phresh
It is developed by doctors and clinical pharmacists, GMP certified and made in the USA in an FDA registered facility, our boric acid vaginal suppositories are perfectly safe for you to use concern free. Using exclusively USP grade ingredients of the highest purity, our suppositories are all-natural, gluten-free, NON-GMO and 3rd party tested to ensure their premium quality.
Boric acid suppositories for feminine care help reduce vaginal irritation and itchiness and other conditions that cause you to discomfort such as by, unbalanced discharge, vaginitis and more. The suppositories also act as a cleanser and by balancing vaginal pH levels they can help with pain relief, soothe dryness and eliminate vaginal odour.
This antibiotic can effectively improve and support your well-being and treat vaginal conditions related to unbalanced pH levels with the pHresh boric acid suppositories. For 7 consecutive days insert one 600mg capsule of pure boric acid powder vaginally with your finger or applicator before bed. In the event of persisting symptoms repeat for another 7 days.
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Editorial Sources And Fact
Treatment For Urinary Tract Infection
The best cystitistreatment is an antibiotic. Your dose and the type of antibiotic will depend on the severity of yourinfection as well as other factors, including:
- Side effects from past antibiotic treatments
Before your doctor prescribes you an antibiotic for UTI, he needs to determine the type of bacteriacausing the infection first. He will take a urine sample to confirm your infection. Samples of thebacteria will be grown in the lab for a couple of days. This culture will help your doctor determine thetype of bacteria thats causing the infection.
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Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotics List
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Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.
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See A Healthcare Provider
While UTIs arent usually a cause for major concern, if you dont get them treated, they can lead to more serious problems like a kidney infection. If you have a UTI, make an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The fastest way to feel better is by taking an antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing your infection.
If going to see a provider in-person is not an option , there are plenty of telehealth services available that will allow you to set up a virtual appointment. Check out GoodRx Care for treatment of UTIs as well as many other medical conditions.
During your appointment, your provider will ask you questions about what symptoms you are experiencing and if you are prone to UTIs. You might be asked to provide a urine sample either in the office you are seen in or at a lab close to you. Lastly, your provider will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to get started on right away.
Some common antibiotics used for treating UTIs include nitrofurantoin , sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim , and ciprofloxacin . Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 5 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first 2 to 3 days. Antibiotics can cause nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea for many people. But, taking your dose with food can help lessen nausea and stomach upset, and taking a probiotic supplement like L. acidophilus can help with the diarrhea.
Some of the common antibiotics your doctor may prescribe to treat a UTI include:
Q: What If I Have Symptoms But Testing Indicates I Do Not Have A Uti
A: Testing for urinary tract infections is not a flawless science. Sometimes, results can indicate no infection when symptoms indicate something very different. If you believe you have a UTI, but test results indicate otherwise, you should discuss the matter with your doctor. You also have the option of seeking a second opinion. If you have symptoms, but your tests are negative, you will need to get to the bottom of it.
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Determinants Of Antibiotic Prescribing
Results of uni- and multivariable analyses for guideline recommended treatments of uUTI are reported in Table . In multivariable analysis, only increasing age of the GP was significantly associated with reduced odds of prescribing any guideline recommended antibiotic treatment or a guideline adherent treatment .
Table 4 Logistic regression analysis for guideline recommended and guideline adherent antibiotic prescriptions in uUTI
Including all UTI patients, the diagnosis of a cUTI and the sex of the patient were additionally identified as significant determinants associated with reduced odds of prescribing fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin or TMP/SMX. In addition, the age of the GP and the diagnosis of a cUTI were significant associated with increased odds of prescribing any FC antibiotic in multivariable analysis. Particular noteworthy are the relative high intra-cluster correlation coefficient in multivariable analysis . Differentiating antibiotic prescribing patterns between patients with a uUTI and cUTI, a female gender of the GP in cUTI and increasing age of the GP in uUTI were associated with higher odds of prescribing a FC in multivariable analysis . Analysing determinants for each prescribed antibiotic separately showed results that are more heterogeneous and were provided in Supplemental Table c.
Q: Can Antibiotics Cause Other Problems
A: Antibiotics can be something of a double-edged sword. They have been known to kill off friendly bacteria as well as invasive bacteria. This can sometimes lead to yeast infections, diarrhea, and other consequences. The biggest potential problem, however, is creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria by not completing the entire course of antibiotics.
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What To Expect At Home
UTIs can lead to infection. Most often the infection occurs in the bladder itself. At times, the infection can spread to the kidneys.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Needing to urinate more often
- Hard to empty your bladder all the way
- Strong need to empty your bladder
These symptoms should improve soon after you begin taking antibiotics.
If you are feeling ill, have a low-grade fever, or some pain in your lower back, these symptoms will take 1 to 2 days to improve, and up to 1 week to go away completely.
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Antibiotics For Uti Vs Home Remedies For Uti
Are there UTI treatments without antibiotics? While antibiotics are the most common and effective treatment for UTIs, natural remedies are an increasingly popular way to treat such infections without antibiotics.
It is important to consult a doctor to determine which treatment approach is best for you.
Below are some common at-home UTI treatment options that can help relieve symptoms:
- Drink plenty of water to flush the bacteria from your system.
- Get plenty of vitamin C to make your urine more acidic, which makes it less hospitable for bacteria.
- Use a heating pad to reduce pelvic pain.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, nicotine, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners because they can irritate your bladder.
- There is no evidence or proof that drinking pure, unsweetened cranberry juice can help prevent or treat UTIs however, this is still a commonly used home remedy.
- Urinate as frequently as possible to eliminate bacteria from your urinary tract.
- Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear to prevent bacteria-loving moisture from building up.
- Quit smoking to improve your immune system.
- Wipe from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria.
- Avoid using scented feminine products since they can lead to infections.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, PlushCare recommends that you meet with a licensed physician to ensure you receive proper treatment, including any necessary antibiotics for UTI treatment.
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How Long Does A Uti Last
Urinary tract infections usually go away after the first few days of antibiotics treatment. Depending on the severity of the infection, they may last a bit longer. If you often get UTIs, your healthcare provider may prescribe low-dose antibiotics for a few months at a time. If you have a UTI, over-the-counter products may help ease your symptoms while you receive antibiotic treatment.
What About Cranberry Juice For Uti
Its a long-held belief that consuming cranberry juice may help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. While its true that cranberries contain an active ingredient that can prevent adherence of bacteria to the urinary tract, there is still no evidence that cranberry products can treat a UTI.
One of the reasons: Products like cranberry juice or cranberry capsules are not explicitly formulated with the same amount of PACs that have shown potential in lab studies. Moreover, a 2019 report in the Journal of Urology noted that the availability of such products to the public is a severe limitation to the use of cranberries for UTI prophylaxis outside the research setting.
In all, theres actually very little high-quality research on the topic of prevention. For instance, a 2016 study in The Journal of the American Medical Association, found that among female nursing home residents, daily consumption of cranberry capsules resulted in no significant prevention of UTIs.
While consuming cranberry juice or supplements is not considered a first-line treatment of urinary tract infections, in most cases, it cant hurt. After all, drinking plenty of liquids does dilute your urine and help spur more frequent urination, which flushes bacteria from the urinary tract. The exception: Those who are taking blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin, should not consume cranberry juice. And those with diabetes should be mindful of the high-sugar content of fruit juices.
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Are There Natural At
Yes. While taking antibiotics is still considered the gold standard of UTI treatments, there are some things you can do at home that help relieve symptoms, as well. These include:
- Drink plenty of water. Consuming at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily can help flush away UTI-causing bacteria, setting you up for a quicker recovery. Plus, the more you drink, the more youll have to urinate.
- Urinate often. Each time you empty your bladder, youre helping to flush bacteria out of your system.
- Try heat. Applying a heating pad to your pubic area for 15 minutes at a time can help soothe the pressure and pain caused by UTI-related inflammation and irritation.
- Tweak your wardrobe. Wearing loose cotton clothing and underwear can help you recover from a UTI.
- Go fragrance-free. Make sure your personal hygiene products are fragrance-free to sidestep further irritation, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
- Cut out certain irritants. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, raw onions, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and nicotine can further irritate your bladder, making it more difficult for your body to heal, per the Cleveland Clinic.
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