A urinary tract infection (UTI) often strikes suddenly, turning a routine day into a source of constant discomfort. The persistent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation or pelvic pain, can make work, sleep, and travel difficult. While these infections are incredibly common, especially among women, the physical distress they cause is significant. It is easy to feel frustrated by the interruption to daily life, but relief is usually straightforward and accessible.

Treatment is essential not only to alleviate the immediate pain but to prevent the infection from spreading up the urinary tract to the kidneys, where it can cause more serious health issues. The primary goal is to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. Because the bacteria responsible can vary and because some strains are becoming resistant to certain drugs, treatment plans are tailored to the individual. Doctors choose medications based on the severity of symptoms, medical history, and local bacterial resistance patterns (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2017).

Overview of treatment options for Urinary Tract Infection

The cornerstone of treating a bacterial UTI is antibiotic therapy. While drinking plenty of water helps flush out the system, the infection rarely clears on its own without medical intervention. The goal is to eradicate the bacteria completely from the bladder and urethra.

For simple, uncomplicated infections in healthy individuals, a short course of oral antibiotics is standard. However, for “complicated” cases such as those involving men, pregnant women, or people with kidney stones or structural issues, the treatment duration is often longer. Clinical experience suggests that treating the infection promptly reduces the risk of recurrence. In addition to curative antibiotics, doctors often recommend medication specifically to numb the urinary tract during the first day or two of treatment to manage pain.

Medications used for Urinary Tract Infection

First-line antibiotics are the most common treatments for uncomplicated UTIs. Nitrofurantoin is widely prescribed; it concentrates specifically in the urine, making it highly effective for bladder infections with minimal impact on the rest of the body. Another common first-line option is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (often known by the brand name Bactrim), which stops the bacteria from reproducing.

Fosfomycin is another option, often prescribed as a single-dose sachet mixed with water, which is convenient for many patients.

If first-line treatments are not suitable due to allergies or resistance, doctors may prescribe cephalosporins (such as cephalexin) or fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin). However, fluoroquinolones are generally reserved for more severe kidney infections or complicated cases due to their potential side effects.

To address the burning and urgency while waiting for antibiotics to work, doctors may suggest phenazopyridine. This is not an antibiotic and does not cure the infection, but it acts as a topical analgesic for the urinary tract lining. Patients can typically expect symptom relief within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

How these medications work

Antibiotics combat infection via diverse mechanisms. Nitrofurantoin kills bacteria in the bladder by damaging their DNA and vital enzymes. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole stops bacterial growth by blocking the production of folate, a necessary nutrient.

Beta-lactams, such as cephalosporins, destroy bacteria by preventing the formation of a strong cell wall, causing them to rupture.

Phenazopyridine differs by acting as a soothing anesthetic directly on the urinary tract’s inflamed mucous membranes, reducing spasms and pain during urination (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Side effects and safety considerations

Antibiotics are generally safe but commonly cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In women, they can sometimes cause secondary vaginal yeast infections.

Phenazopyridine causes urine to turn a harmless, bright reddish-orange, which can stain clothes and contact lenses.

Fluoroquinolones carry warnings for tendon inflammation and are often avoided in children and pregnant women. It is vital to finish the entire course of antibiotics to prevent resistant bacteria. Patients should seek immediate medical attention for high fever, severe back pain (flank pain), or vomiting, as these may signal a kidney infection (FDA, 2023).

Since everyone’s experience with the condition and its treatments can vary, working closely with a qualified healthcare provider helps ensure safe and effective care.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov
  2. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org
  3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov
  4. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov

Medications for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Found 32 Approved Drugs for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Nitrofurantoin

Brand Names
Nitrofurantion Macrocrystals, Nitrofurantion, Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals, Macrobid, Macrodantin

Nitrofurantoin

Brand Names
Nitrofurantion Macrocrystals, Nitrofurantion, Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals, Macrobid, Macrodantin
Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals) is specifically indicated for the treatment of urinary tract infections when due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and certain susceptible strains of Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals) and other antibacterial drugs, Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals) should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Nitrofurantoins lack the broader tissue distribution of other therapeutic agents approved for urinary tract infections. Consequently, many patients who are treated with Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals) are predisposed to persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria. Urine specimens for culture and susceptibility testing should be obtained before and after completion of therapy. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals), other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected. In considering the use of Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (macrocrystals), lower eradication rates should be balanced against the increased potential for systemic toxicity and for the development of antimicrobial resistance when agents with broader tissue distribution are utilized.

Trimethoprim

Brand Names
Sulfamethox-TMP, Sulfatrim, Sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim, Sulfameth

Trimethoprim

Brand Names
Sulfamethox-TMP, Sulfatrim, Sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim, Sulfameth
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets and other antibacterial drugs, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to empiric selection of therapy. Urinary Tract Infections: For the treatment of urinary tract infections due to susceptible strains of the following organisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris. It is recommended that initial episodes of uncomplicated urinary tract infections be treated with a single effective antibacterial agent rather than the combination. Acute Otitis Media: For the treatment of acute otitis media in pediatric patients due to susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae when in the judgment of the physician sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim offers some advantage over the use of other antimicrobial agents. To date, there are limited data on the safety of repeated use of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in pediatric patients under two years of age. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is not indicated for prophylactic or prolonged administration in otitis media at any age. Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults: For the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis due to susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzaewhen a physician deems that sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim could offer some advantage over the use of a single antimicrobial agent. Shigellosis: For the treatment of enteritis caused by susceptible strains of Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei when antibacterial therapy is indicated. Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia: For the treatment of documented Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and for prophylaxis against P. jiroveci pneumonia in individuals who are immunosuppressed and considered to be at an increased risk of developing P. jiroveci pneumonia. Traveler's Diarrhea in Adults: For the treatment of traveler's diarrhea due to susceptible strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli.

Macrocrystals

Brand Names
Nitrofurantoin, Macrocrystal

Macrocrystals

Brand Names
Nitrofurantoin, Macrocrystal
Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals) and other antibacterial drugs,Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals) should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Nitrofurantoins lack the broader tissue distribution of other therapeutic agents approved for urinary tract infections. Consequently, many patients who are treated with Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals) are predisposed to persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria. Urine specimens for culture and susceptibility testing should be obtained before and after completion of therapy. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals), other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected. In considering the use of Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP (monohydrate/ macrocrystals), lower eradication rates should be balanced against the increased potential for systemic toxicity and for the development of antimicrobial resistance when agents with broader tissue distribution are utilized.

CefTRIAXone

Generic Name
CefTRIAXone

CefTRIAXone

Generic Name
CefTRIAXone
Before instituting treatment with ceftriaxone, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ceftriaxone for injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, ceftriaxone for injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Ceftriaxone for injection, USP is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible organisms: Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis or Serratia marcescens. Acute Bacterial Otitis Media Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase producing strains) or Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains). NOTE: In one study lower clinical cure rates were observed with a single dose of ceftriaxone compared to 10 days of oral therapy. In a second study comparable cure rates were observed between single dose ceftriaxone and the comparator. The potentially lower clinical cure rate of ceftriaxone should be balanced against the potential advantages of parenteral therapy. Skin and Skin Structure Infections Caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii*, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bacteroides fragilis * or Peptostreptococcus species. Urinary Tract Infections (complicated and uncomplicated) Caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Morganella morganii or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral and rectal) Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including both penicillinase- and nonpenicillinase-producing strains, and pharyngeal gonorrhea caused by nonpenicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Ceftriaxone sodium, like other cephalosporins, has no activity against Chlamydia trachomatis. Therefore, when cephalosporins are used in the treatment of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the suspected pathogens, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added. Bacterial Septicemia Caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Bone and Joint Infections Caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Enterobacter species. Intra-abdominal Infections Caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium species (Note: most strains of Clostridium difficile are resistant) or Peptostreptococcus species. Meningitis Caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Ceftriaxone has also been used successfully in a limited number of cases of meningitis and shunt infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis * and Escherichia coli*. * Efficacy for this organism in this organ system was studied in fewer than ten infections. Surgical Prophylaxis The preoperative administration of a single 1 g dose of ceftriaxone may reduce the incidence of postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated (e.g., vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy or cholecystectomy for chronic calculous cholecystitis in high-risk patients, such as those over 70 years of age, with acute cholecystitis not requiring therapeutic antimicrobials, obstructive jaundice or common duct bile stones) and in surgical patients for whom infection at the operative site would present serious risk (e.g., during coronary artery bypass surgery). Although ceftriaxone has been shown to have been as effective as cefazolin in the prevention of infection following coronary artery bypass surgery, no placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate any cephalosporin antibiotic in the prevention of infection following coronary artery bypass surgery. When administered prior to surgical procedures for which it is indicated, a single 1 g dose of ceftriaxone provides protection from most infections due to susceptible organisms throughout the course of the procedure.

Arikayce

Generic Name
Amikacin

Arikayce

Generic Name
Amikacin
Amikacin Sulfate Injection USP is indicated in the short-term treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, species of indole-positive and indole-negative Proteus, Providencia species, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, and Acinetobacter ( Mima-Herellea ) species. Clinical studies have shown Amikacin Sulfate Injection USP to be effective in bacterial septicemia (including neonatal sepsis); in serious infections of the respiratory tract, bones and joints, central nervous system (including meningitis) and skin and soft tissue; intra-abdominal infections (including peritonitis); and in burns and post-operative infections (including post-vascular surgery). Clinical studies have shown amikacin also to be effective in serious complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections due to these organisms. Aminoglycosides, including Amikacin Sulfate Injection USP are not indicated in uncomplicated initial episodes of urinary tract infections unless the causative organisms are not susceptible to antibiotics having less potential toxicity.Bacteriologic studies should be performed to identify causative organisms and their susceptibilities to amikacin. Amikacin may be considered as initial therapy in suspected Gram-negative infections and therapy may be instituted before obtaining the results of susceptibility testing. Clinical trials demonstrated that amikacin was effective in infections caused by gentamicin and/or tobramycin-resistant strains of Gram-negative organisms, particularly Proteus rettgeri, Providencia stuartii, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The decision to continue therapy with the drug should be based on results of the susceptibility tests, the severity of the infection, the response of the patient and the important additional considerations contained in the WARNINGS box above. Amikacin has also been shown to be effective in staphylococcal infections and may be considered as initial therapy under certain conditions in the treatment of known or suspected staphylococcal disease such as, severe infections where the causative organism may be either a Gram-negative bacterium or a staphylococcus, infections due to susceptible strains of staphylococci in patients allergic to other antibiotics, and in mixed staphylococci/Gram-negative infections. In certain severe infections such as neonatal sepsis, concomitant therapy with a penicillin-type drug may be indicated because of the possibility of infections due to Gram-positive organisms such as streptococci or pneumococci. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of amikacin and other antibacterial drugs, amikacin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Showing 1-5 of 32
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
Tired of the same old research?
Check Latest Advances