What Is Prescribed for Bladder Infections?

Bladder infections are a potentially serious problem and should always be treated by a physician. If left untreated, a bladder infection has the potential to spread to the kidneys or even cause sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection in the blood. Treatment for a bladder infection is usually successful.

Antibiotics

• Antibiotics are the most common form of medication used to treat bladder infection. They may be taken for as little as three days or as long as a few weeks depending on the type and severity of infection. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include Septra, Augmentin and doxycycline.

Pyridium

• According to the New York Times Health Guide, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, or Pyridium, is often prescribed to alleviate bladder infection symptoms and is also available over-the-counter. Pyridium may turn urine a bright orange color causing clothing stains.

Water

• Drinking plenty of water is key in treating a bladder infection. It helps to flush bacteria from the urinary tract and reduces burning with urination. Drinking adequate amounts of water also aids in preventing bladder infections.

Pregnancy

• Pregnant women cannot take some of the above-mentioned antibiotics and are often prescribed a different antibiotic such as amoxicillin or cephalosporin. Kidney infections can cause harm to a developing baby, so effective treatment is crucial to prevent a bladder infection from spreading to the kidneys.

Recurrent Infections

• Preventative antibiotics may be prescribed for women who experience recurrent infections. Antibiotic therapy may be a continual low dose or antibiotics may be taken only when symptoms appear.