Highlights
Antibiotics and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- The antibiotic trimethoprim may help improve UTI symptoms even if a dipstick urine test does not show infection. Urine tests are given to confirm the presence of infection-causing bacteria, but some women who test negative still have UTI symptoms. In a 2005 British Medical Journal study, three days of trimethoprim treatment helped reduce UTI symptoms. The researchers suggest that doctors prescribe antibiotics based on UTI symptoms because urine test results are not always accurate.
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the preferred three-day treatment for UTIs. But due to increasing antibiotic resistance, TMP-SMX does not always work. A 2005 study in the Journal of the American Association confirmed that ciprofloxacin is the best alternative to TMP-SMX. The study found that a third type of antibiotic, amoxicillin-clavulanate, is generally not as useful in three-day treatments for UTIs caused by E. coli bacteria.
Cranberries for UTIs
Text Continues Below
Cranberries may help improve UTI symptoms in women, according to a Cochrane Collaboration review of randomized clinical trials. The researchers were not able to determine if juice or tablets worked best, or what dosages are most appropriate. Some studies suggest daily amounts of one to two cups of 30% cranberry juice or 300 to 400 mg of tablets.
Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis
- Interstitial cystitis is a painful and frustrating condition, and there are few effective treatments for it. Standard medications include pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron), which is taken by mouth, and a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution, which flows through a catheter into the bladder.
- Doctors also prescribe low doses of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptylline to reduce pain and bladder muscle spasms. A 2005 study in the Journal of Urology confirmed that long-term use of amitriptylline improves interstitial cystitis symptoms. However, most patients experienced dry mouth and weight gain side effects.
.gif)
