Medication for urinary tract infections

Medically reviewed by Dr. Reema Shah, M.B.B.S., OB-GYN – By Hasita Vedula – Updated on Feb 13, 2023

Typically, antibiotics are the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections. These medications eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. It’s crucial to take these exactly as your doctor has prescribed. If you don’t treat a minor UTI, it could develop into a dangerous kidney or blood infection. What medication you should use and how long you need to take it are determined by your health and the type of bacteria discovered in your urine.

Key points:

Antibiotics are the only medicines that can cure a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Antibiotics for UTIs are available in any medical/pharmacy store but make sure you get a prescription from your doctor to get the appropriate antibiotic.

Many different antibiotics can be helpful to treat a UTI. But the best one for you depends on your medical history, the type of bacteria found in your urine test, and any history of previous UTIs.

Meds for urinary tract infection:

What is the best medication for a urinary tract infection?

The medication and dose you receive are determined by the bacteria found in your urine. This is done by a Urine Routine and Microscopy test. If you have had frequent UTIs, it is recommended that you give your urine sample for a Culture and Sensitivity test as well. Finding out exactly which bacteria is present in your urine, and exactly which antibiotic it can be treated with, is extremely helpful in eliminating the infection. Let’s understand some of the common urinary tract infection treatment medicines.

1. For a simple or uncomplicated infection:

Cipro and levofloxacin (and others) are medicines that can be used to treat an uncomplicated UTI. Symptoms usually resolve within a few days after beginning the medication. However, you might need to take antibiotics for a week or longer. Don’t forget to take the medication according to the given schedule.

Your doctor might advise a shorter course of treatment for an uncomplicated UTI that develops when you’re generally healthy. It can require taking an antibiotic for 3 to 5 days. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, a brief course of antibiotic treatment could be sufficient to cure your infection. Also, your doctor can prescribe a painkiller that reduces the burning while you urinate. However, the pain usually disappears shortly after taking antibiotic medications for UTI.

Medicines commonly used drugs for urinary tract infection include:

Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole
Fosfomycin
Nitrofurantoin
Cephalexin
Ceftriaxone

2. For a frequent infection:

If you experience frequent UTIs, your doctor might advise to do the following:

When symptoms occur, avoid self-diagnosing and treating yourself. It is recommended that you get in touch with your doctor.
Make sure to give your urine sample for Urine Culture and Sensitivity testing before you start the antibiotics.
If you frequently have UTIs due to sexual activity, make sure to urinate before and after having sex. Wash your vulval area with water and pat dry. Get tested for Urine infections and STIs.
If you’ve reached menopause, consider vaginal estrogen therapy.

3. For a severe infection:

Your doctor may give you a higher dose of antibiotics to treat a severe infection. If your UTI is severe or the infection has spread to your kidneys, you may need to get high-dose antibiotics through an IV at a hospital. So, if you are suffering from a severe UTI, do not delay taking treatment.

Your doctor will also consider the following factors while choosing an antibiotic:

Are you pregnant?
Are you over age 65?
Are you allergic to any specific antibiotics?
Did you have any side effects from antibiotics in the past?

How long should I take antibiotics for a urinary tract infection?

You’ll learn more from your doctor’s prescription for urinary tract infection. You’ll typically take antibiotics for 3 to 5 days for an uncomplicated or simple infection. For some people, the antibiotic course could be up to 7 to 10 days. You might need to take antibiotics for 14 days or longer if it is a complicated infection. After completing antibiotics, if you still experience symptoms, a follow-up urine test can determine if the UTI is resolved completely. You’ll need to take antibiotics for a longer amount of time if you still have an infection. You could require a prolonged course of antibiotics if you frequently have UTIs. If you have symptoms and a positive urine culture, you can take antibiotics every time you have a new UTI.

What are the side effects of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections?

There could be some side effects, which is the case with any medication you take. Some of these include:

Rash
Diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting
Headache
Rarely nerve damage

Can I stop taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection once I feel better?

Antibiotics are the most effective medications for UTI treatment. After taking the medication for only a few days, you can start to feel better. However, you must continue taking your medication till the prescribed course is completed. You will not be able to completely eliminate the bacteria in your urinary tract if you stop taking your antibiotics too soon and this may cause the infection to recur.

Furthermore, stopping your antibiotics early can cause resistance can develop in these bacteria. That implies that the medications won’t work to kill these bacteria in the future. Therefore, the medicines you take right now might not work if you get another UTI. To ensure that all the bacteria are dead, complete your prescribed dose of antibiotic as directed.^{1 2}

How quickly should I expect to see improvement after starting medication for a urinary tract infection?

A brief course of antibiotic is usually used to treat urinary tract infection. Typically, your symptoms will go away 3 to 5 days after you take the medication. Even if you feel better, remember to finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed to you. Most women get a course of antibiotic tablets or capsules for 3 to 5 days. Men, pregnant women, and those with more severe symptoms could require a somewhat longer course of antibiotics.³

Can I take over-the-counter pain medication for a urinary tract infection?

Antispasmodic medications can be taken however, it is better to consult a doctor before doing so. UTIs are uncomfortable and might interfere with your daily routine. Also it takes roughly 24 hours of taking antibiotics for symptoms to improve. So antispasmodics can help you feel better while you are waiting for the antibiotics to take effect. While you wait, you can also take urine alkalinising agents and should make sure to drink plenty of oral fluids. Adequate hydration can help overcome and prevent UTI.⁴

Can I drink alcohol while taking medication for a urinary tract infection?

Alcohol should be avoided as it can increase the acidity of your urine which can further irritate your urinary bladder. Moderate amount of alcohol may appear harmless but it can increase urine acidity and worsen your symptoms. Additionally, consuming alcohol while taking an antibiotic for a UTI infection may result in additional side effects like drowsiness or upset stomach. Therefore, while you must refrain from caffeine and alcohol until the infection has cleared, drinking a lot of water and juices may make you feel better faster and help avoid getting UTIs in the future.⁵

Is it possible to treat a urinary tract infection without antibiotics?

Many UTIs resolve on their own or with general care. Researchers are increasingly looking for methods to treat and prevent UTIs without using antibiotics. Several traditional home remedies may aid to prevent and treat certain infections. However if you think you may have a UTI, you should consult a doctor before trying to treat the infection by yourself.

Are there any natural remedies or supplements that can help treat urinary tract infections?

Some of these natural treatments are relatively low-risk, even though not all of them have evidence to support that they can treat a UTI. So it might be okay to try them along with antibiotic medications, if you feel they may help you or have helped you in the past.

Several natural treatments can that help reduce UTI symptoms include:

Drink lots of water – Drinking plenty of liquids can reduce your risk of UTIs by making you urinate more, which helps eliminate bacteria from the urinary tract.

Increase vitamin C intake – Increasing your vitamin C consumption may reduce your risk of UTIs by increasing the acidity of your urine, which kills infection-causing bacteria.

Drink unsweetened cranberry juice – According to some research, cranberries may help lower your chance of getting a urinary tract infection by preventing bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract.

Consume probiotics – Probiotics are helpful for restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment and may help avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Practice healthy hygiene habits – Urinating frequently and right after sexual activity can lower your risk of getting a UTI. When using the toilet, be sure to wipe carefully to reduce your risk of getting a UTI.

Try some natural supplements – Several natural supplements could reduce the possibility of getting a UTI. Here are some supplements that have gone through research and are all sold as capsules:

D-mannose – Cranberries contain a particular kind of sugar called d-mannose. According to research, it works well to treat UTIs and stop them from recurring.
Cranberry extract – Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract prevents bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
Garlic extract – According to research, garlic and garlic extract have antibacterial capabilities, which may help to inhibit bacterial development and prevent UTIs.⁶

You can use them in conjunction to your antibiotic treatment, to avoid recurrence or resistance to thenantibiotics that are prescribed to you. Antibiotic resistance, a developing concern that can make it harder to treat conditions like recurring UTIs, is also largely due to the overuse or improper use of antibiotics. Experts have been searching for alternative antibiotics to treat UTIs because of this risk.