Best Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: Antibiotics, OTC & Prescription Meds

UTI Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?
Causes & Risk Factors
- What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?
Diagnosis
- How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed?

Glasses of cranberry juice alongside a bowl of fresh cranberries

The best treatment of a urinary tract infection is antibiotics, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), nitrofurantoin (Macrobid), and fosfomycin (Monurol). Medications such as phenazopyridine (Pyridium, available by prescription, or Uristat, available over-the-counter [OTC]) may be used to numb the bladder and urethra and reduce the burning pain of some UTIs.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections that affect the bladder (cystitis) or the kidneys (pyelonephritis) in the urinary tract.

The best treatment of a urinary tract infection is antibiotics, including:

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)

Medications such as phenazopyridine (Pyridium, available by prescription, or Uristat, available over-the-counter [OTC]) may be used to numb the bladder and urethra and reduce the burning pain of some UTIs.

Medications used to treat kidney infections include:

Antibiotics
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for fever and pain
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

In severe cases when patients have high fever, severe pain, or cannot keep down food or fluids, intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluids may be administered in a hospital

There are no studies that have shown cranberry juice to be effective in treating UTIs, however, cranberry juice is unlikely to be harmful.

What Are Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include:

Bladder infection
- Pain or a burning on urination
- Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Blood in the urine
Kidney infection
- Symptoms of a bladder infection and:
  - Fever
  - Flank pain (on one or both sides of the lower back, where the kidneys are located)
  - Nausea
  - Vomiting

See a doctor right away if you have kidney infection symptoms because delaying treatment can result in serious complications.

What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria entering the urethra and going up into the urinary tract.

Risk factors for developing urinary tract infections include:

Frequent sexual intercourse
Bladder or kidney infection that occurred in the past 12 months
A genetic predisposition to UTIs
Conditions such as kidney stones or ureteral reflux that block or change the flow of urine in the kidneys
Use of spermicides for birth control
Diabetes
For men, not being circumcised or having insertive anal sex

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed?

In addition to a patient history and physical examination, the main way urinary tract infections (UTIs) are diagnosed is a urine test.

Urinalysis
Urine culture

Additional testing may be needed for recurrent bladder infections to check for abnormalities in the kidneys, bladder, ureter, or urethra, or for kidney stones.

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References

Image Source: iStock Images

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults-the-basics?search=UTI&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/nov/uti-home-remedies-does-cranberry-juice-really-help/