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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) affects most people once in their lives. It occurs when some harmful bacteria enter your urinary system and cause infection. Mild UTIs rarely need antibiotic treatment. However, if it’s a recurring or severe case, antibiotics can help balance the good bacteria in your urinary system. Wondering, can amoxicillin treat UTI? Well, though an antibiotic like amoxicillin is not generally a first choice for UTI treatment, it can be considered an effective option.
If you take it as prescribed by the doctors, amoxicillin can help relieve symptoms in a few days. However, you need to understand amoxicillin’s proper use and drawbacks to protect and maintain your health. Explore the article to learn about amoxicillin, how it works, its use for UTIs, its possible side effects, and more!
What Is Amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is one of the common antibiotics known as penicillin-like antibiotics. It works by interfering with the formation of cell walls of bacteria. This makes bacteria more prone to the attack of immune cells, killing and preventing them from growing again. Clavulanate Potassium is added to the amoxicillin which makes it extremely effective in fighting off bacteria that amoxicillin can’t eradicate alone. This antibiotic is available in different forms; tablet, capsule, and liquid suspension. Both adults and children can use it but dosages may differ based on body weight and age.
What Is Urinary Tract Infection?
UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary system that includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters.
Causes Of UTI
UTIs are mostly caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and can travel to different parts of the urinary system. E. coli bacteria mostly cause UTIs. According to the study, women experience UTIs more than males as their urethras are shorter, causing easy pass of bacteria to the urinary system. Approximately 10% of the females annually struggle with UTIs.
Symptoms of UTI
The potential symptoms include:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent urge to pee
- Urinating small amounts frequently
- Bloody urine
- Pressure on the lower abdomen
- Foul-smelling urine
Can Amoxicillin Treat UTIs?
Curious to know “Does amoxicillin treat UTI”? Amoxicillin for UTI Treatment can be one of the most effective antibiotics. Though it is not considered the first choice for the treatment, it can help prevent the symptoms associated with UTIs. Typically, amoxicillin is a kind of beta-lactam antibiotic that can help prevent bacterial infections by interfering with the formation of the cell wall of bacteria. The role of amoxicillin is to attack bacteria while the added potassium clavulanate which is a β lactamase inhibitor hinders the action of enzymes that are responsible for breaking down amoxicillin. This shows that the combination of amoxicillin with potassium clavulanate can help in the effective treatment of UTIs caused by bacteria.
Is Amoxicillin Good For UTI?
Though amoxicillin is not the first choice for UTI treatment, it can help treat the associated symptoms in some cases. It works on bacteria strains that cause infection, kill, and prevent them from growing. However, in certain cases, it may not be effective due to the high probability of its resistance. Wondering, can amoxicillin cause UTI? If E.coli bacteria is the main cause of UTI, overuse or misuse of amoxicillin can raise the chances of developing severe UTIs. This is because overuse or misuse of the medication prevents the bacteria from responding appropriately to the medicine, making the infection more complicated.
How to Use Amoxicillin To Treat UTIs?
Used as the second-choice antibiotic, doctors may prescribe amoxicillin based on the severity of the UTI and age. The recommended dosage of amoxicillin may be:
- For adults with mild UTIs: 500 mg in every 12 hours or even 250 mg in every 8 hours.
- For adults with severe UTIs: 875 mg every 12 hours or even 500 mg every 8 hours.
- Children with mild UTIs: 20 to 25 mg/kg of body weight daily in doses divided every 8 to 12 hours.
- For children with severe UTIs: 40 to 45 mg/kg in doses divided every 8 to 12 hours.
Note: If you miss the amoxicillin dose, take it immediately after you realize it. However, skip the dose if the date of the next dose comes close. Doubling the dose can lead to some side effects like antibiotic resistance.
How Long Does it Take For Amoxicillin to Work?
As soon as you take amoxicillin, it starts to fight off the bacteria-causing infections. You will feel better within 2-3 days. However, remember that even if your symptoms improve and your health gets better before the course of medication, make sure to complete the full course as prescribed by the doctor.
Unless your physician advises you otherwise, it’s very crucial to follow the complete amoxicillin regimen. Avoiding it can cause the infection to occur again as some bacteria might stay. Therefore, always complete the course as it can help prevent the infection entirely.
Possible Side Effects of Amoxicillin
The major side effect of amoxicillin is developing antibiotic resistance, making it challenging to treat infection. Antibiotic resistance happens due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. Hence, it’s always recommended to follow the instructions of the doctor. These are the potential side effects of amoxicillin:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Yeast infections
- Dizziness and confusion (rare)
Other Alternative Treatment for UTIs
Research says some uncomplicated UTIs may resolve without antibiotics treatment. In such cases, home remedies can be an effective solution to treat UTIs. Those may include:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water as it helps throw the bacteria out of the urinary tract through urination.
- Wear loose clothes: Wearing breathable clothes avoids the formation of moisture near the urethra and lowers the risk of the multiplication of bacteria.
- Take over-the-counter medications: To reduce the pain associated with UTIs, you can take acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Avoid fragranced products: Do not use scented soaps or powders to clean your vagina as it can disrupt the natural pH level of your vagina, increasing the risk of recurrent UTIs.
Final Thoughts
Urinary Tract Infection can be stressful but if you are wondering “Can amoxicillin treat UTI”, then yes, amoxicillin can benefit effectively. It works by targeting the infection-causing bacteria, killing, and preventing them from growing. However, it is very important to use Amoxicillin with caution as overuse or misuse of this medication can lead to some side effects which can worsen the associated symptoms. For uncomplicated UTIs, some home remedies are suitable options but remember that home solutions are not appropriate for severe cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does amoxicillin treat bladder infection?
Yes, amoxicillin can treat bladder infections by killing the infection-causing bacteria.
Can you treat a UTI with amoxicillin?
Yes, you can definitely treat UTI with amoxicillin.
What is the success rate of amoxicillin for UTI?
The success rate of amoxicillin for UTI is 70%
Does amoxicillin affect urination?
Amoxicillin can lead to the formation of crystals in the urine.
How fast do antibiotics work for UTI?
Antibiotics work within 1 to 2 days for UTIs.
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