The medicines below are used to treat UTIs. Only the most basic problems are listed. Ask your doctor if there are any other steps you need to take. Use each of them as your doctor tells you. If you have any questions or can’t follow the package instructions, call your doctor. Your doctor may have you take more than one type. This is because they work in different ways.
Antibiotics may be used 3 or more days. A 3-day course has been shown to be helpful for both younger and older women. This works better than taking them for up to 10 days or more. Take all the antibiotics, even when you feel better.
Most antibiotics are taken as a pill. If the infection is serious, they may be given though an IV or as a shot.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole antibiotics
Common names:
Side effects:
Note: Some antibiotics should not be taken with alcohol. Check with your doctor.
Common names:
Don't take these within 2-6 hours of an antacid or sucralfate. Most of these can be taken on with or without meals. Check the label first.
Side effects:
Note: There is a high risk of disabling side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration advises these should only be used for uncomplicated UTIs if no other treatments are available.
Common brand names
These medicines are not used in babies under 3 months old. The risk of bleeding is higher in older people.
Side effects:
Common brand names:
These should be taken with food or milk. This will help lower the chances of an upset stomach.
Side effects:
Common brand names:
These will help burning, urgency, and the number of times you feel you have to pass urine. Stop taking them when you feel better. Try not to take them longer than 2 days. Don't wear your contact lenses while taking these. They may cause permanent stains on your lenses.
Side effects:
Call your doctor right away for:
Common brand names:
These have more than one medicine to treat an infection, and ease bladder spasms and pain.
Side effects:
Call your doctor right away for:
Older people may have more problems with taking these.
If you are taking medicines:
Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/urinary-tract-infections-utis/bacterial-urinary-tract-infections-utis. Updated June 2018. Accessed September 20, 2018.
FDA drug safety communication: FDA updates warnings for oral and injectable fluoroquinolone antibiotics due to disabling side effects. US Food & Drug Administration website. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm511530.htm. Updated March 8, 2018. Accessed September 12, 2016.
Lutters M, Vogt-Ferrier NB. Antibiotic duration for treating uncomplicated, symptomatic lower urinary tract infections in elderly women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD001535.
Treatment. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/treatment. Updated March 2017. Accessed September 20, 2018.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) (pyelonephritis and cystitis). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116894/Uncomplicated-urinary-tract-infection-UTI-pyelonephritis-and-cystitis. Updated June 4, 2018. Accessed September 20, 2018.
Urinary tract infections in adults. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults. Accessed September 20, 2018.
12/5/2007 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115591/Urinary-tract-infection-UTI-in-children: Pohl A. Modes of administration of antibiotics for symptomatic severe urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD003237.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 9/20/2018