HealthLine refers to urinary tract infections as any infection occurring along the urinary tract in the human body. The urinary tract begins in the kidneys and ends in the urethra, where urine exits the body. According to eMedicinehealth, bacteria or microorganisms commonly cause the urinary tract infections, with 90 percent due to Escherichia coli or E. coli. Staphylococcus accounts for approximately 10 percent of infections and Klebsiella, Proteus and other organisms cause infections to a lesser degree.
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole or Bactrim treats urinary tract infection caused by Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis organisms. The drug comes from sulfonamides and, as a result, Individuals with allergies to sulfur products may need to avoid Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin or Amoxil covers urinary infections from the following organisms: Streptococci, Pneumococci, Enterococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Neisseria meningitides. The amoxicillin provides a spectrum of killing bacteria more varied than with penicillin drugs. Seizures may occur with very high doses of amoxicillin.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, also known as Macrodantin or Macrobid, treats Citrobacter, Corynebacterium, Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Neisseria, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus organisms. This medication exerts its effect in the urinary tract system and fails to work in the blood stream. Do not crush or open tablets or capsules or the medication loses its effectiveness.
Ampicillin
Ampicillin comes in several brand names including Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen and Totacillin. This medication binds to the cell wall and kills Streptococci, nonpenicillinase-producing staphylococci, Listeria, Pneumococci, Enterococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae organisms.
Quinolones
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases describe Quinolones as a new class of drugs approved in recent years and containing the medications, ofloxacin or Floxin, norfloxacin or Noroxin, levofloxacin or Levaquin, ciprofloxacin or Cipro and trovafloxin or Trovan. "Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacologic Basis of Therapeutics"describes the powerful effect of Quinolones against E. coli and various species of Salmonella, Shigella, Enterobacter, Campylobacter and Neisseria. Only levofloxacin treats Streptococci.
FDA Tips on Safe Drug Administration
In order to identify the specific microorganisms creating infections in the urinary tract, the healthcare provider orders a urinary culture from a urine specimen. The consumer assists in their care by following directions to obtain the specimen. The Food and Drug Administration advises consumers to complete all courses of antibiotics. As with any drug, report all rashes, hives and difficulty breathing to the healthcare provider as these symptoms may indicate an allergy to the drug. As with all antibiotics, severe diarrhea from antibiotics may occur and cause serious illness. Report all profuse diarrhea to the healthcare provider.
References
- "Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses"; Judith Deglin, et al.; 2011
- eMedicinehealth: Urinary Tract Infections
- HealthLine: Urinary Tract Infections-Adults
- "Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacologic Basis of Therapeutics"; Laurence Brunton, Ph.D; 2006
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
