UTI Antibiotics

Are You Aware That

• UTI is classified among the most frequently encountered bacterial infections (Bladder Health | Keep Your Bladder Healthy Page) in the clinical practice.

• Each year more than 7 million individuals visit doctor’s office for the management of UTI (with an additional 1 million visits in emergency care).

• 50% females report at least one symptomatic episode of UTI during entire lifetime.

According to statistics reported in peer reviewed Journal of Diabetes Research & Clinical Metabolism (2) investigators reported that the incidence of UTI in general population is 127 cases per 1000 individuals. Certain risk factors (such as poorly controlled diabetes) can increase the incidence to 184 cases/ 1000 individuals with the risk of recurrence up to 20-30%.

Risk Factors That May Lead to Symptomatic Episodes of UTI

• Psychiatric or mental health issues (Hormonal Imbalances In Men Page)

• Female gender

• Poor physical hygiene

• Elderly population

• Spinal cord or neuronal injury

Common Antibiotic Choices for Urinary Tract Infection

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UTI Antibiotics UTI is mostly presented by symptoms like burning micturition, urgency and frequency of urine, lower abdominal/ pelvic pain (with or without appearance of blood/ pus in the urine), fever, chills, vomiting/ nausea. The choice of antibiotics is dependent on the organism involved and sensitivity of the bacteria to antibiotic (identified by urine culture/ sensitivity examination). Common pharmacological options include.

Fosfomycin (Monurol)

It is used as a first-line therapy for uncomplicated UTI. Clinical success rate (of a 7-day antibiotic course) is over 94%. About 5.6% patients may experience adverse side-effects such as vaginitis, abdominal pain and nausea (3). Susceptible organisms include; enterococci, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, E coli, Serratia and Klebsiella species (4).

Severe Side Effects That May Warrant Medical Help

• Severe or bloody diarrhea

• Hives

• Alteration in vision

• Stomach pain or severe cramps

• Yellowing of eyes or skin

Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Furadantin, Macrodantin)

Nitrofurantoin is also used for the management of acute cystitis or acute UTI. Due to low side-effects profile, it is usually prescribed for the management of UTI during pregnancy. Clinical success rate is over 83%. Data indicates that approximately 5.6% subjects experience at least one adverse effect while on Nitrofurantoin regimen.

Severe Side Effects That May Warrant Medical Help

• Changes in the color of skin

• Hives

• Pain in chest

• Pain in muscles (Bladder Pains and Irritants Page) or joints

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) & Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin are indicated for acute, severe and complicated varieties of UTI, prostatitis and other similar infections involving renal system. It has broad spectrum (active against gram positive as well as gram negative organisms).

Severe Side Effects That May Warrant Medical Help

• Fainting

• Hives

• Weakness, burning, pain ,numbness or tingling

• Slow or irregular heart beat

• Unexpected pain triggers after doing exercise

Sulfamethoxazole With Trimethoprim Bactrim (Septra)

TMP-SMX (TMP-SMX Wiki Page) are highly effective as 3-day drug regimens for the management of uncomplicated UTI. Depending upon the results of culture and sensitivity, along with other factors, your doctor may devise an individualized regimen for you. Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim are also effective as prophylactic antibiotic regimen for recurrent bacterial infections (4). It has high tolerance, low side effects profile (under 3%) and low cost of therapy; which is why it is also considered gold standard therapy in acute UTI cases.

Severe Side Effects That may Warrant Medical Help

• Peeling skin or blistering formation on skin

• Hives

• Pain in muscles or  joints

• Abnormal bleeding like blood spots formed beneath skin, gum bleeds while brushing teeth or bleeding from nose.

Why Use Antibiotics for the Management of UTI?

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UTI Antibiotics Antibiotics can limit the severity of infection and shorten the course of illness. Usually doctors prescribe antibiotics for.

• Women who experience recurrent episodes of UTI

• Pregnant females who are  experiencing UTIs (untreated UTI can increase the risk of premature delivery); however, caution must be maintained as most antibiotics are not recommended during pregnancy

• Individuals with a history of disease/ dysfunction involving nervous system that may affect the capacity to control micturition (urination)

• Individuals who have a history of renal transplant

• People undergoing surgery that involves urinary tract

For information on UTI Antibiotics from one of our doctors, email us at info@drelist.com or call 1-310-652-2600. Mon. – Fri. 9am – 4pm(Pacific Time).

Indications & Side Effects Associated With Antibiotics Used for UTI Management

Like most antibiotics, UTI pharmacological agents are also associated with mild to moderate side effects. In most cases, side effects resolve spontaneously as the antibiotic course is completed. However, if you are experiencing severe reaction to the drug; consult your physician before stopping the antibiotic. In addition, it is recommended to read the label for any potential ingredient you are allergic to, or to learn about the contraindications to the use of drug.

Some Common Side Effects Include

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Diarrhea

• Cramps (Menstrual Cramps Page), mild pain in stomach, nausea or appetite loss

• Inflammation in vagina which cause pain or discomfort

Seek Medical Help Immediately If

• You experiencing trouble in breathing.

• You experience swelling of face, throat, lips or tongue.

References

• Foxman B: Epidemiology of urinary tract infections: incidence, morbidity, and economic costs. Am J Med 2002, 113 Suppl 1A:5S-13S

• Foxman, B. (2010). The epidemiology of urinary tract infection. Nature Reviews Urology, 7(12), 653-660.

• Stein, G. E. (1999). Comparison of single-dose fosfomycin and a 7-day course of nitrofurantoin in female patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Clinical therapeutics, 21(11), 1864-1872.

• Jancel, T., & Dudas, V. (2002). Management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Western journal of medicine, 176(1), 51.