When the bladder becomes infected, also known as cystitis, it can cause pressure in the lower pelvis, painful urination, the urgent need to urinate, a decreased ability to hold urine and an abnormal or cloudy urine color, according to MedlinePlus. Additional symptoms of penile pain, flank pain, fatigue and pain during intercourse may also appear during a bladder infection. Although this condition is most common in women during childbearing years, it can happen to both males and females. Regular treatment requires an antibiotic prescription to eliminate the infection from spreading to vital organs, such as the kidneys.
Beta-Lactams
Beta-lactams are a classification of antibiotics that each contain similar chemicals to one another, despite being in different antibiotic groups. For example, penicillins, such as amoxicillin, are generally the first type of prescription antibiotics a physician will prescribe to a patient. It has a general success rate amongst users, although sufferers of recurring UTIs may develop resistance. In this case, or when a patient is amoxicillin-resistant, a combination beta-lactam antibiotic therapy of amoxicillin-clavulanate is prescribed that is helpful in killing gram-positive organisms, including Escherichia coli, or E. coli, the predominant cause of UTI infections. Alternate beta-lactams include cephalosporins, which are necessary when patients do not respond to penicillin.
Fluoroquinolones
As of 2010, the fluoroquinolones antibiotics are the current generation of quinolones due to the addition of fluoride--which plays a distinct role in antibacterial activity. Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics that function by treating bacterial infections in many parts of the body, including the urinary tract. According to the American Family Physician, fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, are especially effective in treating complicated bladder infections and are as effective in the treatment of mild infections as other regularly prescribed antibiotics. This is especially useful in cases when resistance appears. For example, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic given to those who do not react to standard antibiotic treatment, is less effective than ciprofloxacin after a seven to 10-day course of administration, the American Family Physician reports.
Nitrofurantoin
The antibiotic nitrofurantoin fights bacteria in the body and is specifically prescribed for urinary tract infections, according to Drugs.com. In instances when resistance to standard medication and alternative medicines occur, nitrofurantoin is a preferable medication. It functions by interfering with various chemical processes within the bacteria leading to its death. Unlike other antibiotics, however, the length of dosage is usually longer at seven to 10 days--even for mild bladder infections.
