Urinary Tract Infection - Treatment

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Postcoital Antibiotics. If recurrent infections are clearly related to sexual activity and episodes recur more than two times within a 6-month period, a single preventive dose taken immediately after intercourse is effective. Antibiotics for such cases include TMP-SMX, nitrofurantoin, cephalexin, or a fluoroquinolone (such as ciprofloxacin). (Fluoroquinolones are not appropriate during pregnancy.)

Continuous Preventive Antibiotics (Prophylaxis). Continuous preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics are an option for some women who do not respond to other measures. With this approach, low-dose antibiotics are taken continuously for 6 months or longer.

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Treatment for Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis)

Patients with uncomplicated kidney infections (pyelonephritis) may be treated at home with oral antibiotics. Patients with moderate-to-severe acute kidney infection and those with severe symptoms or other complications may need to be hospitalized. In such cases, antibiotics are usually given intravenously for several days. Chronic pyelonephritis may require long-term antibiotic treatment.

Treatments for Specific Populations

Treating Pregnant Women. Pregnant women should be screened for UTIs, since they are at high risk for UTIs and their complications. The antibiotics used during pregnancy include amoxicillin, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, and cephalosporin. Fosfomycin (Monurol) is not as effective as others but may be used during pregnancy. Pregnant women should not take fluoroquinolones.

Pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria (evidence of infection but no symptoms) have a 30% risk for acute pyelonephritis in their second or third trimester. They need screening and treatment for this condition. In such cases, they should be treated with a short course of antibiotics (3 - 5 days). For an uncomplicated UTI, pregnant women may need longer-term antibiotics (7 - 10 days).

Treating Children with UTIs. Children with UTIs are generally treated with TMP-SMX, cephalexin (Keflex) and other cephalosporins, amoxicillin,or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin). These drugs are usually taken by mouth in either liquid or pill form. Doctors sometimes give them as a shot or IV. Children usually respond to treatment within a few days.