According to the Mayo Clinic, the parts of the human urinary system are the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The term urinary tract infection refers to an infection of any part of this system. Most commonly, however, the infection involves the lower urinary tract, which is the bladder and urethra. Some of the most frequent symptoms of this infection are a strong urge to urinate, a burning feeling when urinating and blood in the urine. For a simple urinary tract infection, antibiotics are the treatment of choice, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Amoxicillin
Drugs.com describes amoxicillin as an antibiotic that is in the penicillin class. It is effective against simple bladder infections. People who are allergic to penicillin should not use amoxicillin. It is important to know that amoxicillin can compromise the effectiveness of birth control pills so that an unintended pregnancy can occur, according to Drugs.com. Common side effects of amoxicillin include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), TMP-SMX is now the standard treatment for urinary tract infections. The treatment regimen for this antibiotic involves taking it for three days. Use of the drug for longer periods of time is not more effective and may increase the risk of side effects. People who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take TMP-SMX because allergic reactions to this drug can be very severe. In many places throughout the United States, bacterial resistance to TMP-SMX is becoming problematic, according to the UMMC.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Use of fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin for urinary tract infections has been increasing, and they have become the standard alternative to TMP-SMX, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. One drawback of this class is that it causes more adverse reactions in children than other antibiotics. Women who are pregnant should not take fluoroquinolones.
Nitrofurantoin
The UMMC points out that nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that is specific for urinary tract infections. When TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones are not effective or appropriate, nitrofurantoin is the treatment of choice. For an uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection, treatment with nitrofurantoin lasts seven to 10 days. Patients who are taking drugs for other medical conditions should be aware that nitrofurantoin is frequently involved in drug-drug interactions, according to the UMMC.
