Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that invade the urinary tract and cause infection, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. A urinary tract infection is a serious health concern that should be treated quickly before the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Antibiotics for urine infection can help cure the condition by wiping out infection-causing bacteria.
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate
According to MayoClinic.com, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate is commonly used as treatment for bacterial infections that occur in various parts of the body, including the urinary tract. The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate is an antibiotic that is part of a group of medicines known beta-lactamase inhibitors and penicillins. The combination works by killing the bacteria that causes the infection and preventing them from growing. This combination of antibiotics will not work for the flu, colds or other viral infections. Some less common side-effects of this combination include itching, skin rashes and painful sexual intercourse.
Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is another antibiotic combination that is used to cure bacterial infections including urinary tract infections. This combination can also be used to treat bronchitis, middle ear infections, traveler’s diarrhea and bacillary dysentery. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim work by destroying the bacteria that causes different types of infection. According to MayoClinic.com, this combination is also effective at preventing and treating a very serious kind of pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii pneumonia--PCP. This condition is typically more prevalent in patients with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients or those with AIDS. Like the amoxicillin and clavulanate combination, it cannot cure infections caused by viruses. Some side-effects of this combination--although rare--can include dark urine, changes in skin color and abdominal pain.
Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin both belong to a class of medicines that are known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Both medicines are effective at killing bacteria in various parts of the body that can cause infections, including urinary tract infections. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are both used to treat and fight off an anthrax infection, according to MayoClinic.com. The most common side effect when using ciprofloxacin is diarrhea. Other side effects--although rare--include a bloody nose, blurred vision, anxiety and chest pain. Unlike ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin only causes diarrhea in rare instances. Levofloxacin can cause some individuals to experience dizziness, become lightheaded, or to become less alert than they are normally.
