From Tracee Cornforth,
Your Guide to Women's Health.
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A. It's important to seek medical attention as soon as you feel the first sign of an urinary tract infection or UTI. Early treatment of UTI prevents complications and stops urinary tract infections from affecting other parts of the body including the kidneys.

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics normally for seven to ten days. Occasionally, certain infections, only require a single dose of antibiotic. Your health care provider will determine the correct antibiotic for your UTI based on your health history and the type of bacteria that is the cause of your infection.

The most likely choices for antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections include:

• trimethoprim (Trimpex)
• trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or TMP/SMZ (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim)
• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox)
• nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin)
• ampicillin

Other antibiotics that are occasionally used to treat UTI include:

• ofloxacin (Floxin)
• norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• trovafloxin (Trovan)

If you are pregnant, that will be a factor your health care provider considers when choosing the appropriate antibiotic to treat your urinary tract infections. Ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits of the various antibiotics. Talk with your health care provider about the risks and benefits of taking the different medications.

Pain associated with UTI may be treated with a prescription pain reliever. Other options for pain relief include over-the-counter pain relievers and using a heating pad.

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