Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate gland in men that can be largely asymptomatic or cause chronic pain, irritation, difficulty urinating, increasing urination frequency and other symptoms. The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that produces a fluid component of semen. The Mayo Clinic explains that prostatitis is a broad term for a range of related disorders that can have a variety of causes. When prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated effectively with several types of antibiotics that are able to penetrate into the gland. The Mayo Clinic notes that only five percent to 10 percent of prostatitis cases are linked to bacterial causes.
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are an effective class of antibiotics to fight infections in the skin, kidneys, bladder, prostate gland and other areas. This family of antibiotics includes norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Another type, levofoxacin, which is sold under the brand name Levaquin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for prostatitis. The duration of antibiotic treatment ranges from four weeks to six months for more severe cases. Commonly reported side effects of Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. A less common and much more serious adverse effect as reported by the Food and Drug Administration is pain and inflammation in the tendons.
Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are a common, broad spectrum class of antibiotics that are used to treat a number of infections in the body. The most commonly prescribed tetracycline for the treatment of prostatitis is doxycycline. Drugs.com lists common side effects of this antibiotic class including teeth discoloration and throat soreness.
Sulfonamides
Sulfonamides are another class of commonly prescribed antibiotics and includes the medication Bactrim for the treatment of prostatitis. Therapy ranges from only two to four weeks and in most cases is effective at clearing up the infection. Sides of Bactrim and other sulfonamides include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, skin rash and itching.
