Urinary tract infections are painful, but treatment usually alleviates the symptoms within one or two days. The medications should be taken for the entire time the doctor has prescribed them. This time frame of one or two weeks is so the bacteria causing the infection are completely eliminated. Some of the medications have side effects that patients should be aware of when beginning treatment.
Trimethoprim
Trimethoprim is only available from the doctor as a prescription. Approved in 1980, this drug is given in 100 mg or 200 mg doses. The lesser dose is taken every 12 hours. The 200 mg dose is taken once a day. Trimethoprim is taken for 10 days.
Amoxicillin
Part of the penicillin group of medications, amoxicillin is used to treat urinary infections due to bacteria. Anyone allergic to penicillin should not take this drug. Discuss with your physician an alternative medication if you are using birth control pills, as amoxicillin has been known to make them less effective.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is one of the medications that may be used if the patient is pregnant. Antacids should not be used with this medicine because they can block the body from absorbing it. Nitrofurantoin is generally taken four times per day.
Ampicillin
Although ampicillin can be used by pregnant women to treat urinary infections, those who are breast-feeding should know the medication can be transmitted through the breast milk to the baby. The baby can suffer an allergic reaction to ampicillin.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic prescribed for bacterial infections. This drug is not safe for pregnant or nursing women. One of the dangers of this medication is that it has been known to thin the blood. Ciprofloxacin can make the patient sensitive to sunlight. Sunscreen should be used if the patient cannot avoid the sun.
Tetracycline
There are many different infections tetracycline can be used for, from urinary infections to sexually transmitted diseases. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid using tetracycline, which can damage the teeth and bones of the unborn fetus or nursing child.
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