Urinary tract infection, or UTI, is one of the most common of all bacterial infections. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports roughly 8.3 million physician office visits occur annually in the U.S. for UTI. A lower UTI is a bladder infection or cystitis. When the kidney is also involved, it is an upper urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis. Antibiotics are the primary medications for the treatment of UTI.
Penicillins
“Urologic Diseases in America,” published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, states the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in men, women and children. Three penicillins–ampicillin, amoxicillin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid–are active against E. coli and other organisms that commonly cause UTI. These antibiotics are an inexpensive and generally effective choice for the treatment of community-acquired UTIs.
Cephalexin
Cephalexin is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin group. This medication is effective against E. coli and other organisms that commonly cause UTIs. It is also effective for the treatment of acute prostatitis, which may be a complicating factor in men with UTI.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with a broad range of activity against virtually all bacterial causes of UTI. It is also effective for the treatment of acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, which may be present along with UTI in adult males. All fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with an increased risk for tendon rupture or tendonitis. This adverse side effect is most common in adults older than age 60.
Levofloxacin
Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with activity against all bacteria that commonly cause UTI. It is effective for the treatment of cystitis, pyelonephritis and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Levofloxacin is associated with an increased risk for tendonitis and tendon rupture.
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic specifically used for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections, especially in women. It is not an appropriate choice for the treatment of pyelonephritis because the drug does not reach therapeutic levels in the kidney.
Norfloxacin
Norfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It is indicated for the treatment of cystitis, pyelonephritis and bacterial prostatitis. As with other fluoroquinolones, norfloxacin carries an increased risk for tendonitis and tendon rupture.
Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic group with a broad range of activity against common UTI-causing bacteria. Ofloxacin is an effective antibiotic for the treatment of cystitis, pyelonephritis and bacterial prostatitis. This drug is associated with an increased risk for tendon rupture and tendonitis.
Trimethoprim and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) are antibiotics commonly used to treat community-acquired UTIs. Trimethoprim is active against the common causes of bacterial UTI. The combination drug TMP-SMX is effective against a broader range of bacterial species. Both medications are appropriate choices for the treatment of community-acquired upper and lower UTIs.
About this Author
Tina Andrews has been a medical writer and editor since 2000. She has published in “Cancer,” “Ethnicity & Disease,” and “Liver Health Today,” and was formerly a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Andrews holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry.
