|  | Family Health | Mens Health

Antibiotics for Prostate Infection

Prostatitis is a prostate infection resulting in inflammation and sometimes caused by bacteria. To treat prostate infections, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics.

  1. Function

    • Antibiotics used to treat prostate infections work by disrupting the internal processes of bacterial cells, weakening the bacteria. This allows your immune system to effectively fight off the infection.

    Types

    • Antibiotics used to treat prostate infections include oral drugs like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones and doxycycline. In some cases, doctors prescribe an injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone followed by an oral antibiotic, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Time Frame

    • Oral antibiotics usually require four weeks of treatment to completely rid you of a prostate infection. After an injection of ceftriaxone, only one week of oral antibiotics is needed, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Risks

    • Common side effects of antibiotics include upset stomach and diarrhea. Fluoroquinolones pose a risk for inflammation of the intestines, and some people develop serious allergic reactions to antibiotic drugs, cautions the Merck Manual.

    Considerations

    • In some cases, bacterial prostate infections are chronic, meaning that the bacteria returns after the initial treatment. This type of prostatitis requires repeated courses of antibiotics until the infection no longer returns, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Mens Health - Related Articles