Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

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What is a Urinary Tract infection (UTI)?

A UTI is a bacterial infection that affects the bladder and urinary tract, kidneys and urethra. It is caused by bacteria entering urinary tract, enters the urethra and infects the urinary tract.

What are the symptoms?

  • Pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
  • Needing to pee more often than usual/ more often in the night
  • Increased urgency of peeing
  • Cloudy urine
  • Blood in your pee (as well as other symptoms)
  • Lower tummy pain/ back pain
  • High temperature/ feeling hot and shivery
  • Low temperature below 36C

Learn more – Trimethoprim

What is trimethoprim?

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent urine infections. It works by preventing production of bacterial DNA, which then kills the bacteria.

How do I take it?

  • 100mg tablets – Take TWO tablets twice daily for 3 days.
  • 200mg tablets – Take ONE tablet twice daily for 3 days.
  • Swallow whole with a drink of water. You can take it with or without food.

How long does it take to work?

Symptoms should improve within 2 days of starting treatment.

Most urine infections clear up within 3 days. If after 3 days you are still suffering from symptoms, or symptoms get worse, please speak to your GP urgently.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects include the following: Itching/ mild rash; Nausea/ vomiting; Diarrhoea; Headaches.

Please seek urgent medical advice if you experience: Blood/ mucus in diarrhoea that lasts over 4 days; Unexplained bruising/ bleeding/ sore throat/ mouth ulcers/ high temperature/ feeling tired.

Cautions

This medication cannot be taken if you are currently taking the following medications: Rifampicin; Warfarin; Digoxin; Phenytoin; Repaglinide / pioglitazone.

PIL – Trimethoprim

Learn more – Nitrofurantoin

What is nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used to treat various lower urinary tract infections. It works by killing or preventing the growth of bacterial.

This medication stats in the body for about 4-5 hours, then excreted in your urine. Making it an effective medication.

How do I take it?

  • 100mg MR capsules – Take ONE capsule twice a day (every 12 hours) for 3 days.
  • 50mg tablets – Take ONE tablet/capsule four times a day (every 6 hours) for 3 days.
  • Swallow whole with food or milk.

How long does it take to work?

Symptoms should improve within 2 days of starting treatment.

Most urine infections clear up within 3 days. If after 3 days you are still suffering from symptoms, or symptoms get worse, please speak to your GP urgently.

What are the side effects?

Nausea/ vomiting; Diarrhoea; Loss of appetite; Headaches; Dizziness/ feeling sick.

This medication may discolour your urine dark yellow/ brown. This is normal and the colour of your urine will return to normal once you’ve finished taking the medication. Do not stop the medication.

Cautions

This medication s not suitable for the people suffering from the following: Diabetes; Severe kidney disease; Lung disorders; Liver disorders; Anaemia or vitamin B deficiency; G6PD deficiency; Porphyria; Conditions causing severe weakness; Allergies to this medication.

** stop taking immediately and seek medical assistance if symptoms of pulmonary reaction develop (e.g. cough, dyspnoea, fever, chills)**

PIL – Nitrofurantoin

Please note: you may be required to have a telephone consultation with one of our prescribers before any prescriptions are issued (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).

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Eligibility questions

(If No – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

(If Male – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

(If Yes – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

(If Yes – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

(If No – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

(If Yes – This medication cannot be supplied, please contact us or your GP for further advice)

  • Acute/ chronic leukaemia
  • Clinically aggressive lymphomas (including Hodgkin’s lymphoma) who are less than 12 months since achieving cure
  • Individuals under follow up for a chronic lymphoproliferative disorders including haematological malignancies such as indolent lymphoma, chronic lymphoid leukaemia, myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia and other plasma cell dyscrasias
  • Immunosuppression due to HIV/AIDS with a current CD4 count of below 200 cells/μl.

Telephone consultation appointment

The GPhC require a telephone consultation for this medication. We offer appointments Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00. If these times aren’t suitable, add a note and we’ll arrange an alternative (e.g., evenings or weekends).

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Consent to share with your GP

Kindly note that prior to any supply being made, it is a regulatory requirement that we notify your GP.

Disclaimer

We’ll review within 24 hours and confirm your consultation/payment if appropriate.