Urinary tract infections typically occur because of bacteria that enters the opening to the bladder, which is called the urethra. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are treated with antibiotics. There are different types of UTIs that are named for their locations in the urinary tract, Drugs.com reports. An infection in the bladder, for example, is called cystitis in medical terms. An infection of the kidney, which is part of the urinary tract, is called pyelonephritis. The parts of the urinary tract in which infections do not commonly occur are the connection tubes called the ureters. An infection of the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body, is called urethritis.
Trimethoprim and Sulfametoxazole
The generically named medications trimethoprim and sulfametoxazole are combined for an antibiotic marketed in the United States under several trade names including Bactrim, Septra and Sulfatrim. This combination antibiotic functions by killing the bacteria that causes the infection in the urinary tract. It also is used in the treatment of other bacteriological infections. Common adverse side effects include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and a loss of appetite, Drugs.com reports. People using this antibiotic are encouraged to drink fluids during the treatment course. Antibiotics work over a period of days, which is called a course of treatment.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is the generic medical name for a drug marketed within the United States with the brand names Trimox and Amoxil. This medication is classified as an antibiotic and is a variation of penicillin. It is commonly used to treat UTIs among other forms of infections, the National Institutes of Health reports. It is taken four times a day with water. It comes as a tablet or capsule. It can be taken with food or without. Common non-serious side effects of amoxicillin include those usual for antibiotics such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
Clavulanate and Amoxicillin
Clavulanate may be combined with amoxicillin to treat urinary tract infections. This combination antibiotic is sold in the United States as Augmentin and Amoclan. Clavulanate is a beta lactamase inhibitor while amoxicillin is an antibiotic. The two medicines work together to inhibit the growth of bacteria and eventually kill them, the Mayo Clinic reports. This medication comes as liquid or tablet and is caustic to the stomach, which is why it should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. Common side effects that are classified as non-serious--there are no reported common serious side effects of this drug---are the same as other antibiotics.
