| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| ciprofloxacin | Cipro |
| fosfomycin | Monurol |
| levofloxacin | Levaquin |
| nitrofurantoin | Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin |
| sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim | Bactrim, Septra |
How It Works
These medicines kill the bacteria that commonly cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Why It Is Used
Antibiotics treat a UTI. And they prevent complications of infection such as kidney damage.
Antibiotics also prevent UTIs. The doctor might prescribe preventive antibiotic therapy for:
- Women who have recurrent UTIs (at least two UTIs in 6 months or three UTIs in 1 year).
- Pregnant women who had recurrent UTIs before getting pregnantor during pregnancy.
- People who have spinal cord injuries or other nervous systemconditions that affect urination.
- People who have had a kidney transplant.
- People who are going to have surgery involving the urinary tract.
How Well It Works
Antibiotics are effective for most UTIs. You should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days after starting antibiotics. If your symptoms get worse or you don't feel better by the third day, call your doctor.
It is important to take all of the antibiotics your doctor has prescribed. Most people begin to feel better soon after they begin the medicine. But if you stop taking the medicine as soon as you feel better, the infection may return.
When taken as preventive therapy, antibiotics also reduce the number of recurrent UTIs. But studies show that this kind of treatment is short-acting. When you stop taking an antibiotic, you are likely to get another UTI.
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