UTI medicine, such as nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin or ciprofloxacin, helps to eliminate the bacteria causing infection and relieve symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating, the urge to urinate frequently or a feeling of heaviness in the bladder.
UTIs (urinary tract infections) are typically caused by intestinal bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, that reach the urinary system. Infections are more common in women due to the close proximity between the urethra and the anus. Complete our online UTI symptoms quiz to determine whether your symptoms are related to an infection.
In addition to the remedies prescribed by your doctor, some home remedies can help alleviate symptoms and complement medical treatment, such as cranberry juice or bearberry syrup. These have natural diuretic and anti-inflammatory action, helping to alleviate symptoms of urinary infection and speed-up recovery. Check-out a list of teas for UTIs that you can prepare at home.
Pharmacy medications
The main UTI medicines that your doctor can prescribe to treat a UTI include:
1. Fosfomycin
Fosfomycin tromethamine is an antibiotic prescribed for the short-term treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. It is indicated for the treatment of acute cystitis, for example.
It works by eliminating bacteria such as E. coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, or Staphylococcus.
The FDA-approved regimen for uncomplicated cystitis in women is a single 3 g oral dose, taken on an empty stomach and preferably at night before bed.
Fosfomycin should not be taken by children under 12 years of age, by people undergoing hemodialysis, or those with severe kidney failure. During pregnancy, it should only be used if recommended by the obstetrician.
2. Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic urinary infections, such as cystitis.
Available by prescription in 100 mg capsules, the guideline-recommended dose for adults with uncomplicated cystitis is 100 mg twice daily (BID) for 5 days (up to 7 days in some cases). It should be taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Nitrofurantoin should not be used in the last weeks of pregnancy (38–42 weeks), during breastfeeding in newborns under 1 month, or in people with kidney failure (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min).
3. Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that can treat bacterial urinary infections such as complicated cystitis, pyelonephritis, or prostatitis.
It is available in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets by prescription. The dose for urinary infections varies, but fluoroquinolones are not recommended as first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs due to risks of tendon injury, nerve damage, and serious side effects. They are reserved for cases where safer options cannot be used.
Ciprofloxacin should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or people with a history of tendon problems or myasthenia gravis.
4. Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
This combination antibiotic can be prescribed for acute and chronic cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, or prostatitis.
Available in tablets or oral suspension, the typical adult dose for uncomplicated cystitis is one double-strength tablet (800 mg SMX + 160 mg TMP) twice daily for 3 days, or as directed by the doctor.
It should not be used in newborns under 6 weeks, during late pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or in people with liver or kidney disease, anemia, or those taking warfarin or dofetilide.
5. Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic indicated for urinary infections such as urethritis, cystitis, or pyelonephritis.
The typical adult dose for uncomplicated cystitis is 500 mg every 12 hours for 5–7 days, but exact dosing is determined by the doctor based on age and infection severity.
It should not be used by people allergic to cephalosporins or penicillins. During pregnancy, it should only be taken if recommended by the obstetrician.
6. Scopolamine butylbromide
This is an antispasmodic that can help relieve bladder spasms and pain during urination in UTIs.
It is not an antibiotic and should be used only for symptom relief alongside infection treatment.
It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children with diarrhea, or people with myasthenia gravis or intestinal obstruction.
7. Flavoxate
Flavoxate is another antispasmodic that can help reduce pain and urgency caused by UTIs.
It is not suitable for children under 12 years, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with glaucoma or lactose intolerance.
8. Cranberry
Cranberry supplements can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining, reducing recurrence risk. They may be used alongside medical treatment.
9. Pivmecillinam
Pivmecillinam, marketed in the U.S. as Pivua, is an antibiotic approved by the FDA for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in adult women caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
It belongs to the beta-lactam class and works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, effectively killing the bacteria.
The usual dosing regimen is determined by the prescribing doctor, and it should be taken exactly as directed. Pivmecillinam should not be used by people allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics, and during pregnancy it should only be taken if recommended by the obstetrician.
11. Gepotidacin
Gepotidacin, sold as Blujepa, is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics approved in the U.S. for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in females aged 12 years and older.
It works by inhibiting bacterial enzymes necessary for DNA replication, targeting common UTI pathogens including E. coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
This medication is prescription-only, and dosing is determined by the doctor. It should be used only when prescribed for confirmed bacterial UTIs, and safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been established.
11. Methenamine hippurate
Methenamine hippurate is an FDA-approved urinary antiseptic used for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections.
It works by breaking down into formaldehyde in acidic urine, which suppresses bacterial growth and helps reduce the frequency of infections.
It is not used for active infections and should be avoided in people with severe kidney or liver problems. During pregnancy, it should only be used if recommended by the doctor.
Home remedies for UTI
A home solution to alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract infections is to drink cranberry juice, bearberry syrup or goldenrod tea, for example. Find out how to prepare these natural remedies.
Furthermore, diuretic foods such as onion, parsley, watermelon, asparagus, soursop, cucumber, orange or carrot are also great complements to the treatment of the infection, as they help to eliminate urine, contributing to the elimination of bacteria.
It is important to note that home remedies do not replace urinary infection treatment recommended by a doctor, but they can be used to complement treatment and help alleviate symptoms more quickly.
Check-out a list of home remedies for UTIs that you can prepare at home.
Medicine for children and pregnant women
Treatment approaches for children and pregnant will vary slightly, and medications can be different.
UTI in children
In children, treatment is usually completed with antibiotics, but in syrup form. Treatment should be completed at indicated by a pediatrician, as the recommended dose can vary according to the child's age, weight, symptoms, severity of infection and the type of bacteria causing infection.
UTI during pregnancy
Medication for treating a urinary infection in pregnant women should be indicated by the obstetrician and should be used with caution so that the baby is not harmed. The antibiotics that are prescribed for a urinary infection during pregnancy are usually penicillins or cephalosporins.
How to prevent recurrent UTIs
Many women experience urinary infections several times a year, and in these cases, preventative treatment is required to avoid reinfection. This is done with a low dose of antibiotics taken every day for about 6 months. The doctor can also advise you to take a single dose of antibiotics after sex, should reinfection be related to sexual contact.
To prevent recurrent UTIs, you can also opt to take natural remedies over a long period of time, or immunotherapy.
In addition to medications and natural remedies, during treatment of a UTI, you should not take other medication without the doctor's knowledge, and you should drink about 1.5 to 2 L of water (about 8 to 12 cups of water) per day to help eliminate the bacteria.