WHat does the doctor usually prescribe a women who has a Urinary Track Infection???

Question:

What medication are women given to fight the infection of a UTI?

Answers:
I'm a pharmacist so I can confirm that Amanda's answer is the most accurate so far (all the antibiotics she named are correct).

The antibiotic clindamycin (dalacin) is not used for UTIs, but rather for some vaginal infections of bacterial origin.

Cranberry juice is interesting but hasn't proven to actually "treat" a UTI; it might help prevent it however, since the acidity makes it more difficult for the bacterias to colonize the UT. Drinking fluids in general is also a good idea with UTIs.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics in my particular area (eastern canada) are, in order:
1) Cipro 250-500 mg twice daily X 3-7 days
2) Septra DS (trimethoprim Sulfa, also called Bactrim or Sulfatrim in some regions) twice daily X 3-7 days
3) Macrobid 100mg twice daily X 3-7 days

In most cases, 3 days treatment should be sufficient, but some patients told me they needed 5 or even 7 days to really get rid of it.

The doctor can also prescribe something to help with the pain (if there is any); it's called phenazo/pyridium (phenazopyridine) and won't actually fight off the infection, it's just going to mask the pain.

An untreated UTI can and often will go away by itself... But it can also turn into a pyelonephritis (kidney infection) which is much more serious than a UTI. If you have pain and/or blood in your urine, I really recommend seeing your doctor so he can prescribe the adequate treatment.

Ask a doctor.

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WHat does the doctor usually prescribe a women who has a Urinary Track Infection???

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