UTI Treatment
UTI Treatment
UTI Treatment
In order to understand UTI treatment (urinary tract infection treatment) correctly, it is important to understand that urinary tract infection is caused by a microbial infection of the organs of the urinary system. The most commonly occurring forms of the disease are urethritis which is infection of the urethra, cystitis which is infection of the bladder and pyelonephritis which is infection of the kidney. Generally the disease is seen more in women than in men. The most common symptom of UTI is dysuria or pain during urination. If UTI treatment is not timely, the kidneys might be damaged severely. It is debatable whether UTI can be spread from person to person through sex.
Antibiotics are the most effective UTI treatment drugs. Oral antibiotics like trimethoprim, fluoroquinolone and nitrofurantoin are all effective remedies for UTI. Trimethoprim combined with sulphamethoxazole is considered effective first line treatments. Fluoroquinlones are not recommended as a first treatment choice, because the micro-organisms can actually develop resistance to it. Trimethoprim-based UTI treatment drugs are effective over a three-day strict treatment regimen. If a UTI patient is prescribed nitrofurantoin, up to a week might be needed.
Trimethoprim is best taken at night. The addition of sulfonamide carries additional benefits although the risk of allergy is there. Cephalexin and nitrofurantoin are UTI treatment drugs that have been used widely by pregnant women to ward off UTI infection during pregnancy. A class of antibiotics called as beta-lactams, which include cephalosporins and penicillin are also prescribed by some doctors. Drugs such as amoxicillin clavulanate are among other drug combinations. Pivmecillinam is used in Europe as UTI treatment medicine. Other options include Tetracyclines such as minocyclines and doxycyclines. However, they are not without side effects and in any case are not recommended for children and pregnant women. Aminoglycosides like tobramycin and gentamicin injections are given in severe cases of UTI infection.