Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment: Medication and Lifestyle Changes
Updated on February 17, 2026
ON THIS PAGE
ON THIS PAGE
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections, and antibiotics continue to be the No. 1 go-to treatment. Most often, these drugs come in the form of oral pills taken over a period of several days.
See your doctor if you have UTI symptoms, such as needing to urinate more often, pain or burning when you urinate, and cloudy or discolored urine.
They can prescribe different kinds of antibiotics, depending on your individual circumstances, and recommend other treatments to help you feel better and keep UTIs from coming back.
Antibiotics
If you’re healthy, your urinary tract is anatomically and functionally normal, and you aren’t unusually vulnerable to UTIs, your UTI is considered uncomplicated, or simple. These infections are typically treated with a short course of oral antibiotics.
Other UTIs, including those in elderly and pregnant patients, are considered complicated. With a complicated UTI, you may get intravenous (IV) antibiotics or a longer oral antibiotic course.
UTI symptoms typically subside after a few doses of an antibiotic. However, it’s important to always complete the entire course of antibiotics as directed by your healthcare provider even if you’re feeling better. If the infection isn’t completely cleared, your symptoms will likely return.
Antibiotic resistance is also a growing concern when treating UTIs.
Many simple UTIs can be treated without the need for a urine test, says Mahino Talib, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. But if you’re experiencing recurrent UTIs (more than two in six months or three in one year), she says it’s important to get a urine culture to make sure you’re receiving the correct treatment.
Some women tend to get yeast infections after taking antibiotics, adds Dr. Talib. If you experience yeast infection symptoms, like vaginal itching or thick white discharge, tell your doctor. They can prescribe a one-time treatment, like fluconazole (Diflucan), for you to take when you’ve completed your antibiotics.
These are the most common types of antibiotics used to treat UTIs.
Nitrofurantoin
This oral broad-spectrum antibiotic works against most of the bacteria that cause UTIs. Brand names include Macrodantin and Macrobid. Unlike other antibiotics, nitrofurantoin has a low potential for antibiotic resistance.
Nitrofurantoin is a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, and is taken for five to seven days. It may also be prescribed for some complicated UTIs, and as a preventive treatment for recurrent UTIs. Because of its potential fetal effects, nitrofurantoin is only used during pregnancy under certain circumstances.
Nitrofurantoin doesn’t usually cause serious side effects, but you may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
This is a combination of two antibiotics called sulfonamides. It’s also known as co-trimoxazole or TMP-SMX. Brand names include Bactrim and Septra.
TMP-SMX is another first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, and can be used preventively. It’s typically prescribed for five to seven days of treatment. Because of potential effects on a fetus, it’s usually only prescribed in certain cases for pregnant women.
TMP-SMX may cause sun sensitivity. It can also cause a serious skin reaction and make you vulnerable to infection from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) bacteria, which causes severe diarrhea.
Fosfomycin
This one-dose UTI antibiotic treatment is a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs and is also considered a safe choice during pregnancy.
Fosfomycin doesn’t usually cause serious side effects, but you may experience nausea or diarrhea.
Penicillins
These antibiotics, in the beta-lactam class, generally aren’t used to treat uncomplicated UTIs because of high rates of drug resistance, but there are exceptions. They may also be used as an IV treatment for complicated UTIs. These drugs have lower clinical and bacterial cure rates than first-line treatments.
Penicillins available to treat UTIs include:
- Pivmecillinam (Pivya) is approved to treat uncomplicated UTIs caused by E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis bacteria. Pivmecillinam is taken for three to seven days.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin ES) combines a penicillin antibiotic with a drug to prevent resistance. It may be used to treat an uncomplicated UTI if a urine culture shows it’s the most effective drug.
- Ampicillin-sulbactam (Unasyn) is a combination drug that may be given intravenously for a complicated UTI.
Penicillins are usually well tolerated, although some people can have an allergic reaction and develop a rash.
Cephalosporins
These beta-lactam antibiotics are considered a second-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, usually taken for five to seven days. They may also be administered by IV or injection to treat complicated UTIs, including severe infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. They include:
- cefdinir
- cefepime
- cefiderocol (Fetroja)
- cefpodoxime
- ceftazidime-avibactam (Avycaz)
- ceftolozane-tazobactam (Zerbaxa)
- ceftriaxone
- cephalexin (Keflex)
Cephalexin has been shown to be safe for pregnant women and can be used as a preventive treatment for recurrent UTIs.
Cephalosporins don’t usually cause serious side effects, although you may experience nausea and vomiting. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a penicillin or other beta-lactam drug, you should not take them.
Fluoroquinolones
These antibiotics are considered highly effective for UTI treatment. However, they can have serious side effects. For uncomplicated UTIs, experts say fluoroquinolones should only be used in patients who have no other treatment options.
The following are recommended for treating complicated UTIs:
Some of the side effects of fluoroquinolones can be serious. They include damage to your tendons, muscles, joints, and nerves. These drugs can cause extremely low blood sugar, which can lead to coma, and mental health side effects like agitation and trouble concentrating.
Carbapenems
Another type of beta-lactam antibiotic, carbapenems are often considered a drug of last resort. They are used to treat complicated UTIs caused by drug-resistant bacteria, and may be paired with a drug that fights the germ’s resistance mechanisms. These drugs are administered by IV and include:
- imipenem or imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam (Recarbrio)
- meropenem or meropenem and vaborbactam (Vabomere)
- ertapenem (Invanz)
Common side effects include nausea and vomiting. It’s rare, but these drugs can cause seizures at high doses, especially imipenem.
Sulopenem Etzadroxil–Probenecid
The combination drug (Orlynvah) received FDA approval in 2024 to treat uncomplicated UTIs caused by E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis in women who can’t take other antibiotics. It’s a beta-lactam antibiotic that’s taken for five days.
Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and vaginal yeast infections. It can lead to C. diff diarrhea, and shouldn’t be used if you have gout or kidney stones.
Aminoglycosides
Antibiotics in this class, particularly gentamicin, may be combined with other drugs in the IV treatment of complicated UTIs. Another aminoglycoside, plazomicin (Zemdri) is designed to be used against drug-resistant bacteria and is approved for people who have few or no other options.
These drugs can cause hearing loss and kidney damage.
Gepotidacin
Gepotidacin (Blujepa) became FDA-approved for UTI treatment in 2025. It’s approved for use in female adults and pediatric patients ages 12 and older.
Gepotidacin is an oral antibiotic with similar effectiveness to other UTI treatments, but shows a low potential for resistance. It’s a promising oral treatment option for drug-resistant infections.
It’s taken for five days and studies suggest it’s well tolerated. Mild to moderate side effects include diarrhea and nausea.
Foods You Shouldn't Eat When Treating a UTI
Discover 7 types of food and drinks to avoid for a smoother UTI recovery.
Next up video playing in 10 seconds
Other Medications
In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may recommend medications to relieve UTI pain or help prevent future infections.
Phenazopyridine
“You can use urinary analgesics to reduce symptoms while waiting for results,” says Andrew Chen, MD, a urologist at Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Hills, California. Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) numbs the lining of the urinary tract to make urination more comfortable. It’s also available in over-the-counter (OTC) versions, like Azo, at lower strengths.
This medication is meant to be taken for no more than two days. It may also make your urine turn bright orange, which can interfere with your urine test results.
OTC Pain Relievers
Medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) may also help control pain.
Methenamine
Methenamine (Hiprex, Urex) helps to control the growth of bacteria in your urine. It can be prescribed to help prevent recurrent UTIs. OTC versions with an anti-inflammatory added, like Cystex and Azo Urinary Tract Defense, can also relieve pain while you’re getting antibiotic treatment. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your healthcare provider before taking this drug.
Vaginal Estrogen
For peri- and postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen therapy is recommended to reduce the risk of future UTIs. These medications come in the form of either a ring or tablet insert, or as a cream.
Lifestyle Changes
While antibiotics are the standard first-line treatment of UTI, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve symptoms. These include:
- Drink plenty of water. Consuming at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily can help flush away UTI-causing bacteria, setting you up for a quicker recovery. Plus, the more you drink, the more you’ll have to urinate.
- Urinate often. Each time you empty your bladder, you’re helping to flush bacteria out of your system.
- Try heat. Applying a heating pad to your pubic area for 15 minutes at a time can help soothe the pressure and pain caused by UTI-related inflammation and irritation.
- Cut out certain irritants. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, raw onions, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and nicotine can further irritate your bladder, making it more difficult for your body to heal.
Other lifestyle changes, like wiping front to back, urinating after intercourse, and increasing your intake of probiotic-rich foods, can help prevent future UTIs, says Talib.
What About Cranberry Juice?
It’s a long-held belief that drinking cranberry juice may help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. While it’s true that cranberries contain an active ingredient (proanthocyanidins, or PACs) that can prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, there’s still no evidence that cranberry products can treat an active UTI.
There’s a bit more weight to the idea that cranberries can help prevent UTIs. One review of 50 studies showed that taking cranberry products, including juice, tablets, and capsules, reduced the number of UTIs among certain groups, including children and women with recurrent UTIs.
Just keep in mind: “It’s best to check that it is 100 percent cranberry juice and to select a brand without added sugar,” recommends Dr. Chen.
The Takeaway
- Antibiotics are the main treatment for urinary tract infections.
- The choice of drug depends on factors including your overall health and the type of bacteria causing the infection.
- There are a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications you can take to feel better while the antibiotics start working.
- If your symptoms don’t improve after two or three days of treatment, call your doctor. You may need a different antibiotic.
Additional reporting by Samantha Felix.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- Gupta K. Patient Education: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. May 30, 2025.
- Bono MJ et al. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. StatPearls. February 21, 2025.
- Imam T. Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections. Merck Manual. January 2024.
- Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. Urology Care Foundation. October 2025.
- Mareș C et al. Update on Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotic Resistance—A Retrospective Study in Females in Conjunction with Clinical Data. Life. January 9, 2024.
- Recurrent UTI. Cleveland Clinic. January 28, 2025.
- Yeast infection (vaginal). Mayo Clinic. November 19, 2024.
- Squadrito FJ et al. Nitrofurantoin. StatPearls. May 29, 2023.
- Graseck A et al. Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnant Individuals. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. July 20, 2023.
- Gill R et al. Acute Cystitis. StatPearls. November 8, 2025.
- Habak P et al. Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnancy. StatPearls. April 20, 2024.
- Kemnic TR et al. Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole. StatPearls. November 28, 2022.
- Fosfomycin. MedlinePlus. December 15, 2025.
- Lee H et al. Urinary Tract Infections. PSAP 2018 Book 1: Infectious Diseases. January 15, 2018.
- FDA Approves New Treatment for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. April 24, 2024.
- Amoxicillin and clavulanate (oral route). Mayo Clinic. February 1, 2026.
- Ampicillin and sulbactam (injection route). Mayo Clinic. February 1, 2026.
- Pandey N et al. Beta-Lactam Antibiotics. StatPearls. June 4, 2023.
- Sabih A et al. Complicated Urinary Tract Infections. StatPearls. December 7, 2024.
- Bui T et al. Cephalosporins. StatPearls. February 17, 2024.
- Sankar A et al. Association of Fluoroquinolone Prescribing Rates With Black Box Warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration. JAMA Network Open. December 1, 2021.
- Armstrong T et al. JMM Profile: Carbapenems: a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Journal of Medical Microbiology. December 10, 2021.
- FDA approves new treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in adult women who have limited or no alternative oral antibiotic treatment options. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 24, 2024.
- Block M et al. Aminoglycosides. StatPearls. July 17, 2023.
- Blujepa (gepotidacin) approved by US FDA for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) in female adults and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older. GSK. March 25, 2025.
- Eastham J et al. Phenazopyridine. StatPearls. May 3, 2023.
- Anger J et al. Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025). American Urological Association. 2025.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI). Mayo Clinic. September 26, 2025.
- Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder. Cleveland Clinic. June 14, 2023.
- Gbinigie O et al. Cranberry Extract for Symptoms of Acute, Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review. Antibiotics. December 24, 2020.
- Williams G et al. Cranberries for Preventing Urinary Tract Infections. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. November 10, 2023.
Meet Our Experts
Christopher Wolter, MD
Medical Reviewer
Christopher Wolter, MD, is an assistant professor in urology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been in practice since 2008, specializing in the areas of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, urologic reconstruction, urologic prosthetics, post prostate cancer survivorship, erectile dysfunction, neurourology and neuromodulation, and overall functional considerations of urogenital health.
Dr. Wolter has been heavily involved in urologic education. He spent the last 12 years heavily involved in resident education and leadership for his department, including the last eight years as urology residency program director. He currently serves as the director of urologic education for the preclinical and clinical rotations for the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Phoenix, Arizona, campus.
Wolter completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Illinois. He then completed his urology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive urology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Holly Pevzner
Author
Holly Pevzner is a writer who specializes in health, nutrition, parenting, and pregnancy. She is currently a staff writer at Happiest Baby. Her work, including essays, columns, features, and more, spans a variety of publications, websites, and brands, such as EatingWell, Family Circle, Fisher-Price, Parents, Real Simple, and The Bump. Pevzner has written several monthly health columns, including for First for Women and Prevention magazines. She previously held senior staff positions at Prevention, Fitness, and Self magazines, covering medical health and psychology. She was also a contributing editor at Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine.