Bacteria within the bladder can cause a medical condition referred to as a urinary tract infection. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include urinary pain or burning and increased urination. If left untreated, bacteria can spread up into the kidneys from the bladder, causing a serious infection called pyelonephritis. Typically, urinary tract infections are treated with a course of antibiotic medication.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
The most common form of antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Oral prescription medications that fall under this class of antibiotics include Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim. A three-day course of TMP-SMX treatment is typically prescribed to kill the bacteria and resolve symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection.
Beta-Lactams
Beta-lactams are a class of drugs that include penicillins and cephalosporins. If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe amoxicillin or Augmentin--both of which are penicillin drugs--to alleviate your symptoms. If the typical TMP-SMX treatment proves ineffective, your doctor may prescribe a cephalosporin, such as Ceftin, Suprax or Keflex, to treat your infection. The length of treatment varies based upon the type of beta-lactam prescribed.
Flurorquinolones
Flurorquinolones, also referred to as quinolones by the University of Maryland Medical Center, can serve as an alternative treatment to TMP-SMX antibiotics for urinary tract infections. These oral prescription medications, which include Noroxin, Cipro, Floxacin and Levaquin, should not be used by pregnant women.
Aminoglycosides
If you have a severe urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe an injection of an aminoglycoside, such as gentamicin, amikacin or tobramycin. This class of medication must be given in conjunction with additional antibiotics. Aminoglycosides can cause severe side effects, such as kidney or hearing damage, and should only be used in severe cases of infection.
Tetracyclines
If you have a urinary tract infection caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma or Chlamydia, your doctor may prescribe a tetracycline antibiotic, such as tetracycline or doxycycline. This class of medications can cause tooth discoloration and increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and should not be taken by pregnant women or children.
Nitrofurantoin
Your doctor may prescribe an oral medication called nitrofurantoin to treat your urinary tract infection. This medication is typically taken for 7 to 10 days, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, and is ineffective in treating an infection that has spread to the kidneys. This medication should not be taken if you have kidney disease or if you are breastfeeding. Pregnant women who are within one to two weeks of their delivery date should also avoid using this medication.
Fosfomycin
Women who are pregnant may be prescribed fosfomycin to treat a urinary tract infection. This medication is provided as a one-dose treatment to eradicate the bacterial infection and relieve urinary symptoms.
