Urinary tract infections (or UTI) are commonly treated with antibiotics, especially with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), beta lactams, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides. For the treatment of bacteria, that is resistant to standard therapy.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
This combination of drugs is also called: Cotrim, Septra or Bactrim.
Downsides of TMP-SMX are the high rate of bacteria resistant to the drug and severe cases of allergic reactions. Patients with dental infections or those allergic to sulfa drugs should not use TMP-SMX drugs.
Quinolone Antibiotics
Quinolone, especially fluoroquinolones, such as floxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin or Ciprofloxacin have become widely used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. These drugs have become the best replacement for TMP-SMX drugs, although they have more side effects than other groups of antibiotics on kids. Pregnant women are also advised not to use quinolone antibiotics.
Other UTI Antibiotics
Beta lactams antibiotics are a wide group, including penicillin, cephalosporins and some other antibiotics. Amoxicillin is a penicillin drug, previously used as a standard treatment for urinary infections, but since this medication can be ineffective against Escherichia coli, a better medication is Augmentin (combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate). Both of these drugs are efficient against gram-positive microorganisms.
Cephalosporin antibiotics useful for the treatment of urinary tract infections include: cefuroxime, cephalexine, cefadroxil, cefixime and loracarbef. In most cases, these medications are used as the non-standard treatment of UTI.
Tetracyclines, such as minocycline, tetracycline and doxycycline are useful against Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections. Pregnant women and children should stay away from these medications. Patients using tetracyclines can experience sensitivity to the sunlight, discoloration of the teeth and burning in the throat and some other side effects.
Gentamicin, amikacin and tobramycin are aminoglycoside antibiotics. Applied on their own or in combination with some other antibiotic dugs, these are medications used in severe bacterial infections. Their side effects are also serious, and they may affect the hearing and balance, as well as provoke some kidney damage.
Doctors may also prescribe some other antibiotics to people experiencing problems with UTI, such as nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin or doripenem (approved for use in 2007).
UTI Medications
People suffering from urinary infections may also use medications to relieve some of unpleasant symptoms. As the useful painkiller, doctors may recommend Phenazopyridine. The same medication should also decrease the burning sensation caused by urinary infection. Flavoxate and methenamine may reduce the bladder spasms, often present in urinary tract infections.
Before using any of these drugs it is best to consult your doctor and ask for an advice, because all of the mentioned medications may have serious health consequences if used without medical supervision.
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