Got questions about taking antibiotics for your UTI? This brief guide can help you out.
If you are one of the many women who are dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI), it is a must for you to gather as much information as you can about UTI antibiotics. Although you can always talk to your doctor and receive expert advice from them, it pays to do your own research and reading about UTI and how it is commonly treated.
Here are the top seven questions about UTI antibiotics that women commonly ask.
1. When treating a UTI, can you skip the antibiotics?
Any doctor would tell you that UTI antibiotics are the only fail-safe way to deal with your infection. Some very mild cases of UTI may go away on their own and may respond to home-based remedies such as drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice. However, in most cases, taking antibiotics is necessary so you can quickly manage the symptoms and kill all infection-causing bacteria in the urinary tract.
2. Why do antibiotics sometimes don’t work?
If you have been taking antibiotics for your UTI for two to three days, you should start to feel better. You should notice your UTI symptoms improving, and you should be able to carry out your everyday routine without running into bathroom-related difficulties. If this doesn’t happen, that could be a sign that your antibiotics aren’t working.
This may be because of several reasons, the most common of which is not following your doctor’s orders. When taking antibiotics, be sure to follow your physician’s advice closely. Whether it’s the drug dosages, frequency and timing of intake, or treatment duration, make sure that everything is aligned with your doctor’s recommendations.
3. Are antibiotics the only option?
Upon examining your condition, your physician may recommend other treatment courses for your UTI, depending on its severity and your unique physical condition. For instance, you may have other diseases or illnesses that can complicate your UTI, and this should be considered closely by your doctor. Also, if your UTI has progressed into a kidney infection (also called pyelonephritis), other management options should be added to your antibiotics regimen. For mild cases of UTI, however, doctors may recommend some home remedies in addition to diet and lifestyle changes in addition to antibiotics.
4. Will antibiotics work for recurrent infections?
Recurrent UTIs are highly common among women because of their short perineum, or the distance between the anus and vulva. This makes it easier for UTI-causing bacteria to travel from the anus to the urethra. Furthermore, sexual activities can also be a contributing factor in introducing bacteria to the urinary tract.
In such cases, it may be inconvenient for women to repeatedly take antibiotics for weeks at a time. What doctors may recommend is a single-dose antibiotic for UTI. As the name implies, a one-time, one-dose regimen is unique to the drug, as it maintains a very high urinary concentration for more than 72 hours after a single dose. This compares with common antibiotics that must be taken twice a day for seven to 14 days, depending on the severity of the infection. It also has extremely low global antibiotic resistance rates, assuring its effectiveness and the prompt relief of symptoms. It is a convenient and safe option for women with stubborn and persistent UTIs. Be sure to ask your physician about this drug if you’ve been suffering from repetitive UTI and acute cystitis.
5. How much does it cost to treat a UTI?
Again, this would depend on the severity of your UTI. However, in common cases, it may cost an average of P1,000 to P1,500 to treat your infection. This amount includes doctor consultation, tests and medicine fees. Do remember that this is only a rough estimation, as several factors can affect the cost of treatment. For instance, your doctor may require additional diagnostic tests or you may be asked to undergo a longer treatment course, depending on your condition.
6. When should you stop taking your antibiotics?
Although you should pay attention to your doctors’ instructions and follow them religiously, there are times when you need to stop taking your antibiotics immediately. For instance, if you experience severe side effects such as nausea and vomiting and allergic reactions, stop taking your medicine instantly and be sure to call your doctor. Upon talking to him or her, provide a detailed account of the side effects you are experiencing. If you took other drugs or if you have other ongoing illnesses, be sure to inform your physician about them as well. This way, he or she will understand the full picture and be better able to give you accurate recommendations.
7. Can pregnant women take UTI antibiotics?
Pregnant women are particularly prone to UTIs, and that’s why they should regularly be screened for this infection. Among the commonly prescribed UTI antibiotics for pregnant women include fosfomycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, and cephalosporin.
