What antibiotics treat a UTI?
That urgent feeling that you need to pee. The pain and burning sensation when you do. And that frustrating trickle of cloudy urine. There’s no denying it. All of your symptoms point to a urinary tract infection (UTI).
If you think you have a UTI – also called a bladder infection or cystitis – you need to treat and clear up the bacterial infection. And despite all of the misinformation circulating about at-home remedies for UTIs, the only effective treatment for a UTI is antibiotics.
What are the main causes of UTIs?
It’s normal – and totally healthy – to have bacteria present in your urinary tract. But an infection can occur when the wrong type of bacteria is introduced into the urethra and bladder. This can happen when you have sex, wipe after going to the bathroom or even when your hormones shift – like during menopause. Bladder infections and UTIs are super common, and roughly 50% of women will get a UTI at some point during their lifetime.
What types of bacteria cause UTIs? A whopping 90% of UTIs are caused by E. coli. Other bacterial strains like staphylococci and enterococcus are also sometimes behind UTIs. Regardless of the type of bacteria causing your UTI, an antibiotic can quickly clear up the infection and all those unpleasant symptoms.
Which antibiotics are prescribed for UTIs?
Most UTIs are categorized as being uncomplicated in nature. This means that the infection is only in the bladder, and there are no other worrisome symptoms – like a fever, chills or flank and back pain – that could indicate a more serious infection. In these cases, the antibiotics Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) or Keflex (cephalexin) are commonly prescribed for a UTI.
| Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) | Keflex (cephalexin) |
|---|---|
| Taken orally in pill form | Taken orally in pill form |
| 5-day course | 7-day course |
| Take with food to avoid upset stomach | Take with or without food |
| Side effects include nausea, headache & gas | Side effects include diarrhea, yeast infection, nausea, vomiting & rash |
Macrobid
Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) is considered a first-line therapy for treating bladder infections. Macrobid works by stopping the bacteria that cause an infection from growing and reproducing.
Keflex
Keflex (cephalexin) is another antibiotic that’s commonly prescribed for UTIs. Keflex works by preventing bacteria from producing the protective coating they need to live and thrive.
Once you start on antibiotics, UTI symptoms should start to improve within a couple of days. It’s important that you take all of your medication. Doing so helps ensure that the infection completely clears up and also helps protect against possible antibiotic-resistant strains.
Get online treatment for UTIs
UTI-related pain and symptoms can be intense. And when you’re in pain and feel like you have to pee constantly, the last thing you want to do is drive to a clinic and sit in a waiting room. Fortunately, in most cases, you don’t need to go into a clinic to get UTI treatment like the antibiotics Keflex or Macrobid. If you think you have a UTI, you can get a diagnosis, treatment plan and prescription online at Virtuwell.
Ways to feel better while treating a UTI
When you have a UTI, it can be all you think about. But once you get treatment, antibiotics work fairly quickly to clear up an infection, and you should start to feel better within a couple of days. During that time, there are things you can do to reduce UTI symptoms and pain.
UTI relief tips
- Use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and AZO® to reduce UTI pain
- Apply a warm pack on your abdomen to soothe discomfort
- Drink water – aim for 32 ounces per day – to flush out your urinary tract
- Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol which can irritate your bladder
Develop a yeast infection while taking antibiotics for a UTI? When you get treatment for a UTI through Virtuwell, we’ll treat your yeast infection online for free.
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