Urinary tract infections are the most common type of infection, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Eight million doctors’ visits are related to UTIs. Women get them more frequently than men, but when men have UTIs they can be quite serious.
Sulfamethoxazole With Trimethoprim
Because sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim, Bactrim, is excreted through the kidneys it is a good medication for urinary tract infections. When the medication enters the bladder it concentrates and becomes an effective bactericidal. It comes in single- and double-strength tablets and is usually taken once or twice a day for seven to 10 days. Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim is usually well tolerated but can have side effects in patients who are sensitive to sulfa products. It has been associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, an inflammation of the small blood vessels that can cause rash and sloughing of the skin. At the first appearance of a rash, the medication should be discontinued. Hypersensitivity reactions such as coughing, shortness of breath and infiltrates in the lung have been reported. The medication can cause cleft palates if taken during pregnancy.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, Macrodantin, can achieve high levels of concentration in the urine and is also a good choice for a UTI. Nitrofurantoin was specifically designed to treat urinary tract infections. Because it can cause hemolytic anemia in a newborn, women who are near term in their pregnancies should not take this medication. Patients taking nitrofurantoin may experience diarrhea as a side effect. This medication should be taken for approximately seven days.
Cephalosporins
First-, second- and third-generation cephalosporins are good antibiotics for urinary tract infections. The group cephalosporins is labeled in generations because it refers to the continued development of this class of drugs. Keflex is a well tolerated medication that is frequently used to treat urinary tract infections. As with many other antibiotics, it can cause diarrhea. For more serious kidney infections, Ceftriaxone or Cefoxitin can be used. The choice of antibiotic depends on the sensitivities of the pathogen causing the infection.
