The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medicines listed below. Only the most general side effects are included, so ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Only use each of these medicines as recommended by your doctor, or according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your doctor.
You may be prescribed antibiotics for 3 or more days. A 3-day course has been shown to be helpful for both younger and older women with
urinary tract infections
(UTIs), rather than taking the medicine for up to 10 days (or more). You should take the full course of medicine, even if you begin to feel better before all the medicine is gone.
In some cases, severe UTIs are treated with intravenous or intramuscular antibiotics. Researchers, though, have found that oral antibiotics appear to be as effective in treating UTIs as those given as injections.
If you are suspected of having a more serious infection, such as a
kidney infection, you may need hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and fluids.
Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox)
- Cefaclor (Ceclor)
- Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Cefepime (Maxipime)
- Piperacillin tazobactam (Zosyn)
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
- Ofloxacin (Floxacin)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole antibiotics
Nitrofurantoin antibiotics
Medicines for symptom relief
- Phenazopyridine (eg, Basidium, Erodium, AZO Standard, Pyridium)
- Combination medicine (eg, Prosed, Urised)
Common names include:
- Amoxicillin
(Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox)
- Cefaclor
(Ceclor)
- Cefuroxime
(Ceftin)
- Cefpodoxime
(Vantin)
- Cefixime
(Suprax)
- Cefepime
(Maxipime)
- Piperacillin tazobactam
(Zosyn)
Possible side effects include:
- Diarrhea
—If diarrhea is severe, call your doctor.
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rash or allergic reaction
- Bleeding problems—If you notice bruising, increased bleeding, or spontaneous bleeding, call your doctor.
- May interfere with oral contraceptive pills—Use another form of contraception while you are taking these antibiotics.
- May interfere with sugar levels in people with diabetes—Check with your doctor before you change your dose of insulin or other diabetes drugs.
Note:
Some antibiotics should not be taken with alcohol. Check with your doctor.
Common names include:
- Ciprofloxacin
(Cipro)
- Levofloxacin
(Levaquin)
- Norfloxacin
(Noroxin)
- Ofloxacin
(Floxacin)
If you are taking antacids or sucralfate, do not take them within six hours of taking a fluoroquinolone.
Take with a full glass of water. Take norfloxacin on an empty stomach. The others may be taken either on an empty stomach or with meals.
Possible side effects include:
- May interact with antacids or sucralfate—Do not take these medicines within 2-6 hours of each other.
- Increased sensitivity to sun
- Dizziness, lightheadedness—Do not drive or participate in potentially hazardous activities until you know how these medicines will affect you.
- Inflamed, torn tendons
- Low blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Irregular heartbeat (if you have low potassium in your blood)
- For levofloxacin—Check with doctor before taking this drug if you are taking medicines for your heartbeat.
- For enoxacin—Check with your doctor before taking this drug along with caffeinated products.
Common brand names include:
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
is usually not prescribed for babies less than three months of age. Elderly people have an increased risk of skin and bleeding problems with these medicines, especially if they are already using diuretic medicines. Always take these drugs with a full glass of water.
Possible side effects include:
- Bleeding problems (including increased bleeding, easy bruising, slow healing)—If possible, delay dental procedures.
- Increased sensitivity to sun
- Itching
- Skin rash
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Dizziness, lightheadedness—Do not drive or participate in potentially hazardous activities until you know how these medicines will affect you.
Common brand names include:
Take nitrofurantoin
with food or milk in order to decrease the chance of stomach upset.
Possible side effects include:
- May interfere with sugar levels in people with diabetes—Check with your doctor before you change your dose of insulin or other diabetes drugs.
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal gas
Common brand names include:
- Basidium
- Erodium
- AZO Standard
- Pyridium
Phenazopyridine
can help relieve the burning, urgency, and frequency of a UTI. You should stop taking this medicine when you are no longer having discomfort. It is usually advised not to take this medicine for longer than two days. Take with food to decrease the chance of stomach upset. Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using this drug; it may permanently stain the lenses.
Possible side effects include:
- Reddish-orange color to your urine and sweat
- Headache
- Stomach irritation
Call your doctor immediately if you are taking this drug and notice:
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Decreased urine
- Blue color to your skin
Common brand names include:
Prosed and Urised contain a combination of drugs to treat an infection, reduce bladder spasm, and relieve pain. These medicines should always be taken with a full glass of water.
Possible side effects include:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, sleepiness, blurred vision, changes in thinking—Do not drive or do hazardous activities until you know how these medicines will affect you.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Change in color of urine or stool to blue or green
Call your doctor immediately if you are taking this drug and have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe dizziness
- Severe diarrhea
- Significant change in thinking clearly and logically
- Unable to pass urine
- Fast heartbeat
- Sudden change in vision
- Rash
Elderly people may have more side effects when taking Prosed or Urised.
If you are taking medicines, follow these general guidelines:
- Take your medicine as directed. Do not change the amount or the schedule.
- Do not stop taking them without talking to your doctor.
- Do not share them.
- Ask what results and side effects to expect. Report them to your doctor.
- Some drugs can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one drug. This includes over-the-counter medicine and herb or dietary supplements.
- Plan ahead for refills so you do not run out.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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