What should you know about OTC antibiotics for UTI?

Burning when urinating, needing to pass urine often, urgency and lower abdominal discomfort can occur with a urinary tract infection. Similar symptoms may come from irritation, vaginal conditions, sexually transmitted infections, stones or other urinary problems. A clinician may use your history, an examination and urine testing to guide treatment.

Antibiotics are selected for the suspected bacteria and the person taking them. The wrong medicine may not work, can cause side effects, and may make it harder to identify the cause. Do not use tablets left from an earlier illness or prescribed for someone else.

Arrange medical advice and mention pregnancy, fever, flank pain, blood in the urine, kidney problems, allergies and regular medicines. Drink normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict fluids. A pharmacist can discuss suitable symptom relief, but pain relief does not replace assessment when infection is possible.

If an antibiotic is prescribed, take it exactly as directed and ask what to do about a missed dose or side effect. Do not save or share remaining tablets.

Seek urgent medical help for fever with chills, pain in the back or side, vomiting, confusion, fainting, severe pain, or feeling rapidly worse. Contact a clinician promptly during pregnancy, for a child or male patient with urinary symptoms, or when symptoms continue after treatment.

Ask whether testing is needed, which cause is most likely from your symptom pattern, which treatment is suitable, how quickly improvement should begin, and what warning signs require reassessment.