Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Different factors affect options for treating a urinary tract infection, such as a person's medical history and the result of urine tests. Uncomplicated infections are often cured with antibiotics such as amoxicillin and ampicillin. During this time, you should avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. In some cases, urinary tract infections are the result of an underlying problem (such as an obstruction); this root cause needs to be identified and treated as well.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: An Introduction

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic used and the length of treatment will depend on the person's medical history and urine tests, which will identify the offending bacteria. The sensitivity test (see Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis) is especially useful in helping the doctor select the most effective drug to treat the urinary tract infection.
 

Treating a Urinary Tract Infection With Antibiotics

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection treatment usually involves one of the following types of antibiotics:
 
  • Trimethoprim (Trimpex®)
  • Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Septra®, Cotrim®)
  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil®, Trimox®, Wymox®)
  • Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin®, Furadantin®)
  • Ampicillin (Omnipen®, Polycillin®, Principen®, Totacillin®).
     
Recently, another class of drugs called quinolones has been approved for treating urinary tract infections. These drugs include:
 
  • Ofloxacin (Floxin Otic®)
  • Norfloxacin (Noroxin®)
  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro®)
  • Trovafloxacin (Trovan®).
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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