Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment: Antibiotics & Options

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are typically treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria that is causing the infection, the severity of the infection, and the person's overall health. Some commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs include:

Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Ofloxacin (Floxin)

Doxycycline (Vibramycin)

The course of antibiotic treatment for a UTI typically lasts for 3 to 7 days, although some cases may require longer treatment. It is important to take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed and to complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms start to improve, in order to fully clear the infection and prevent it from coming back.

In addition to antibiotics, other treatments for UTIs may include:

Drinking plenty of fluids to help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and fever

Avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate the bladder

Using a heating pad on the lower abdomen to relieve pain and discomfort

Practicing good hygiene, such as wiping from front to back after using the toilet and urinating frequently, to help prevent future UTIs

If a UTI does not improve with antibiotic treatment or if it keeps coming back, further tests may be necessary to identify the underlying cause and determine the best course of treatment.