ask your pharmacist

Are there any prescription treatments for urinary tract infections?

Prescription antibiotics are the best treatment for UTIs. Your doctor will choose an antibiotic based on the type of bacteria in the urine. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (brand names Bactrim and Septra), trimethoprim (Proloprim) amoxicillin (>Amoxil), nitrofurantoin (>Macrobid), ciprofloxacin (>Cipro), and ofloxacin (>Floxin).

In most cases, you'll need to take antibiotics for just three days to treat bladder infections. Serious infections that affect the kidneys require seven to 14 days of antibiotic therapy. Pregnant women or women who have frequent UTIs may also require longer courses of antibiotics.

Some women frequently develop UTIs after sexual intercourse. In this situation, doctors sometimes prescribe a single dose of antibiotics to be taken after intercourse to prevent UTIs.

Prescription strength phenazopyridine (>Pyridium) works in the bladder to reduce UTI pain without curing the infection. Don't use this medicine for more than two days. Doing so might hide symptoms of a problem that needs to be treated with other drugs. Be aware that phenazopyridine will cause your urine, sweat, and tears to become orange-red. It can also discolor contact lenses and clothes.

Sources:
Urinary Tract Infection in Adults. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/urolog/pubs/utiadult/utiadult.htm. Last accessed 7/25/01.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Swartzberg, J. E., S. Margen. The UC Berkeley Wellness Self-Care Handbook. Rebus Inc. 1998.
.Diseases and Conditions, "Urinary tract infection."http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/3/2007.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

This answer prepared 7/25/2001.
This information updated 1/3/2007.