Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are found in the urethra, bladder, ureter or kidney. They are usually caused by bacteria. Both children and adults are susceptible and females are more likely to incur a UTI. Symptoms include fatigue, frequent urination, burning upon urination, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine and pain. When a urinary tract infection is caused by a bacteria, an antibiotic is usually prescribed. These medications are usually given orally but they may be administered into the vein if the infection is severe. Untreated kidney infections can cause permanent damage to the kidneys; untreated urinary tract infections that begin elsewhere can travel to the kidneys.
Penicillins
Physicians frequently prescribe drugs in the penicillin family to treat urinary tract infections. Ampicillin and amoxicillin, sometimes given with clavulanate, treat UTIs caused by several kinds of bacteria. Ampicillin should be taken on an empty stomach while amoxicillin may be taken with food, explains the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide."
Quinolones
Quinolones are synthetic antibiotics often prescribed for UTIs. They include ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin and lomefloxacin. These medications should be taken with plenty of fluids and an adequate amount of beverages should be consumed during the course of treatment.
Trimethoprim
Trimethoprim and trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole are antibiotics frequently ordered to treat a urinary tract infection. A patient taking one of these preparations should consume plenty of water until the antibiotic use is complete.
Fosfomycin Tromethamine
The text "Medical Surgical Nursing" explains that fosfomycin tromethamine is sometimes prescribed for urinary tract infection. This medication comes in a packet that is mixed with water and taken as a one-time dose, with results in two to three days.
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporin antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for UTI. Cefadroxil and cefixime are two common options, explains "Medical-Surgical Nursing." Like all antibiotics, it is important to take the full course of medication even if the symptoms clear quickly.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is commonly given for UTI symptoms, explains MayoClinic.com. This medication is sometimes prescribed prophylactically to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in susceptible individuals. It should be taken with milk, a snack or a meal, relates the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide."
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- “2010 Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide”; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
- MayoClinic.com: Urinary Tract Infection
