Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

For a person with a urinary tract infection, treatment will depend on his or her medical history and the result of urine tests. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection treatment usually involves antibiotics such as trimethoprim, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. During treatment for urinary tract infections, patients should avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. Curing urinary tract infections that are the result of an underlying problem (such as a urinary obstruction or other systemic disorder) depends on identifying and treating the root cause of the infection.

 

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: An Introduction

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics and the length of the urinary tract infection treatment will depend on the patient'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 infection.
 

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: 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®).
     
(Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD