Best Antibiotics for Upper Tract and Lower Tract UTIs
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system. It is often associated with painful symptoms, which are typically treated with antibiotics. The best antibiotics for treating a UTI depend on the type of UTI and the severity of the symptoms. Nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, and cephalexin are common antibiotics prescribed to treat UTIs.
What Are Treatments for UTI?
A UTI is a common infection of the urinary tract that can affect the kidneys, urethra, bladder, or ureters. They are often caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, which then multiplies in the bladder. In addition, UTIs can also be caused by viral infections. Your doctor may request special testing if they believe you have a viral UTI, as they are treated with antivirals, not antibiotics. If you have a bacterial UTI, the best course of treatment would be antibiotics.
Dr. David Beatty, a general practitioner for over 30 years, provided insight for this article. Dr. Beatty noted that in an ideal situation, a urine culture is performed to see the specific bacteria causing an infection. A physician can then determine the perfect antibiotic for killing the bacteria. In cases without urine cultures, which happens most often, the following is taken into consideration:
- Severity of illness
- Possibility of pregnancy
- Male or female
- If kidneys have been affected
- Previous antibiotic use
Effective Antibiotics for UTIs
Women | Pregnant Women | Men | Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Tract UTI | cephalexin, ciprofloxacin | cephalexin | IV antibiotic | cephalexin |
Lower Tract UTI | nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim | nitrofurantoin, cephalexin or amoxicillin at end of pregnancy | nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim | nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim |
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Dvora is a recent medical graduate and current MPH student who is passionate about women’s health and health equity. She hopes to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is excited to join the Mira team in empowering people through healthcare. In her spare time she enjoys exercise, reading and spending time with her family and her dog, Dash.