Treatment for UTI

Treatment for UTI

SIMPLE UTI

Antibacterial drugs

-depends on patient’s history and urine test that identify the offending bacteria.

-most common drugs for uncomplicated UTI:

1)trimethoprim (Trimpex)

2)trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim)

#Sulfamethoxazole inhibits bacterial synthesis of dihydrofolic acid by competing with PABA. Trimethoprim blocks production of tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase.

3)amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox)

4)nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin) *treat and prevent*

5)ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen, Totacillin)

-quinolones includes four drugs approved in recent years for treating UT, include ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and trovafloxin (Trovan).

-can be cured with 1, 2 days of treatment if the infection is not complicated but antibiotics are encouraged to be taken for 1,2 week to ensure that the infection has been cured.

-single-dose treatment is not recommended for some group of patients, eg: delayed treatment, kidney infection, diabetes, men who have prostate infection, etc.

-severly ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and drugs on their own.

-longer treatment is needed by patients with infection caused by Mycoplasma (lack of cell wall) or Chlamydia, which are usually treated with tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ), or doxycycline.

-important to take the full course of treatment because symptoms may disappear before the infection is fully cleared.

OTHERS

-drugs to relieve pain

-phenazopyridine (Pyridium) can be used to relieve burning pain during urination.

-heating pad MAY help

-drinking plenty of fluid to cleanse the UT bacteria.

-quit smoking

RECCURENT INFECTIONS in WOMEN

-one of the following treatment:

· Take low doses of an antibiotic such as TMP/SMZ or nitrofurantoin daily for 6 months or longer. If taken at bedtime, the drug remains in the bladder longer and may be more effective.

· Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.

· Take a short course (1 or 2 days) of antibiotics when symptoms appear.

-prevention:

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Urinate when you feel the need; don't resist the urge to urinate.
• Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
• Take showers instead of tub baths.
• Cleanse the genital area before sexual intercourse.
• Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the urethra.
• Some doctors suggest drinking cranberry juice.

INFECTION in PREGNANCY

-should be treated promptly to avoid premature delivery

-some antibiotics are not safe to take during pregnancy e.g TMP/SMZ

-doctors will consider various factors such as the drug's effectiveness, the stage of pregnancy, the mother's health, and potential effects on the fetus.

COMPLICATED INFECTIONS

-find and correct the underlying problem

INFECTIONS in MEN

-identify the infecting organism and the ideal drugs

-lengthier therapy (7 ~ 14 days) to prevent prostate gland infection.

-four weeks of antibiotic may be required if prostate is infected (prostatitis) because antibiotics are unable to penetrate infected prostate tissue effectively.

CHILDREN

-children with uncomplicated cystitis (inflammation of urinary bladder) are given 10 dyas course of antibiotics.

REFENRENCES:

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/urinary_tract_infections/page7_em.htm