A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is more commonly known as a bladder infection. UTIs are more common in women. Symptoms include burning with urination, an increased urge to urinate and an increase in the number of times someone needs to urinate. Antibiotic medications are given to treat a UTI. These medications stop or slow the growth of bacteria in the urine, according to Medscape Family Medicine.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are medications combined into one pill called TMP-SMX. Both medications are antibiotics that slow the growth of bacteria to remove infection. As a combination, TMP-SMX is an excellent antibacterial drug for treating a UTI because the common bacteria that cause the infection are susceptible to the medication. TMP-SMX is available in several strengths. According to a 2005 research study, a three-day course of TMP-SMX is equally as effective as seven days of treatment, and patients report fewer side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. A person who has an allergy to sulfa medications should not take TMP-SMX. Pregnant women should not take TMP-SMX, according to Epocrates on Line and Medscape Family Medicine.
Ciprofloxacin
The fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics includes a medication known as ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin treats a variety of infections including a UTI. It is a good drug to treat rare bacteria that can sometimes cause infection in the urine, especially in hospitalized patients. Intravenous or IV ciprofloxacin is useful to treat hospitalized patients who have a UTI. Ciprofloxacin is also a good choice for patients who are allergic to TMP-SMX. Like other antibiotics, ciprofloxacin can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people also experience a headache when taking ciprofloxacin. Pregnant women, women who are nursing and children less than 18 years old should not take ciprofloxacin, according to Medscape Family Medicine and Epocrates Online.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is another antibiotic that is useful to treat a UTI, especially in a person allergic to other antibiotics. This antibiotic both slows bacterial growth and kills bacteria that are causing infection in the urine. Patients take a seven-day course of nitrofurantoin to treat a UTI. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and drowsiness. Although rare, nitrofurantoin can cause serious reactions like numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes as well as a decrease in white blood cell count. Pregnant women who are at 38 to 42 weeks of gestation should not take nitrofurantoin, according to Medscape Family Medicine and Epocrates Online.
Gentamicin
Gentamicin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides. Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are given in patients with serious urinary tract infections. Patients with serious infections are generally under the care of a physician in a hospital. Gentamicin, and other aminoglycosides, are given intravenously or by injection into a muscle. Aminoglycosides have the risk of causing serious reactions such as hearing loss and kidney damage. Because of this, these medications are reserved for serious infections in hospitalized patients whose bacterial infections are resistant to less toxic, more common medications, according to Medscape Family Medicine and Epocrates Online.
