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Treatments
UTI Treatment Online
Request UTI treatment online for a urine infection. A UK-registered clinician reviews your symptoms in confidence, with discreet UK delivery if antibiotics are suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria infect the bladder (cystitis) or, less often, the kidneys. Typical bladder symptoms include burning when you pass urine, needing to go more often, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
Private Pharmacy Care can review uncomplicated lower UTIs in eligible adults after an online consultation. Kidney infections and people who are severely unwell need urgent in-person care.
Antibiotics are used when a bacterial UTI is likely and the benefits outweigh the risks.
The condition
What is a urine infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria infect the urine passages. The most common type in otherwise healthy women is cystitis, an infection of the bladder. Typical symptoms are burning when you pass urine, needing to go more often and more urgently, and urine that smells strong or looks cloudy.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is more serious. It often adds fever, shaking, pain in the loin or back, vomiting, and feeling very unwell. That needs urgent in-person care, not a routine posted antibiotic. Men, pregnant people, children, and people with catheters or kidney disease are more likely to have a complicated infection.
Private Pharmacy Care can review uncomplicated lower UTIs in eligible adults after an online consultation. A clinician decides if an antibiotic is appropriate. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription. Always read the patient information leaflet. Cranberry products do not treat an active bacterial infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a urine infection
Lower UTI symptoms are focused on passing urine. Fever, loin pain and vomiting suggest the kidneys may be involved. Blood in the urine without typical cystitis, or symptoms in a child, need a different assessment.
Causes
Causes of urine infections
Most community UTIs are caused by bacteria from the gut, often Escherichia coli, that enter the urethra. Anything that makes it easier for bacteria to linger increases risk.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to how uncomplicated cystitis is managed in the UK. A clinician decides whether an antibiotic is justified. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Self-care is not a substitute for urgent care if you have kidney or sepsis symptoms.
Benefits
Benefits and uses
When a clinician confirms that a simple cystitis presentation is likely, a short antibiotic course may be appropriate. You will also get advice on hydration and when to seek further help.
Prompt private review
Describe symptoms from home without waiting for a routine appointment, subject to clinical eligibility.
Guideline-aware prescribing
If an antibiotic is used, the choice and duration follow safety and resistance considerations.
Clear safety netting
You will know which symptoms mean kidney infection or sepsis and need urgent care.
Discreet dispensing
Approved treatment is supplied by our pharmacy where a prescription is issued.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Remote UTI treatment is generally for non-pregnant adults with typical lower-tract symptoms and no red flags. Pregnancy, catheters, kidney disease, and male UTIs often need a different pathway.
May be suitable if
- Burning, frequency or urgency typical of cystitis, without vomiting or loin pain
- You can start treatment promptly and complete the course
- You will drink fluids and seek help if you worsen within 24–48 hours
- You can tell us about allergies, pregnancy, and recent UTIs or antibiotics
May not be suitable if
- Fever, shaking, vomiting, loin (flank) pain, or feeling very unwell — possible kidney infection; seek urgent care
- You are pregnant, have a catheter, or have known urinary tract abnormalities
- Blood in the urine with no typical cystitis symptoms, or symptoms in children
- Repeated infections — you may need GP investigation rather than another remote course
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to have urinary symptoms reviewed?
Complete a short online consultation. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers before any treatment is supplied.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
If prescribed, antibiotics kill or stop the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. Symptom relief often begins within a day or two, but you should finish the course. Pain relief such as paracetamol may help if it is safe for you. Cranberry products are not a substitute for treatment of an active infection.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
UTIs can progress. Worsening fever, back pain, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down needs urgent assessment.
Tell us about antibiotic allergies. Some antibiotics are unsuitable in pregnancy or with certain other medicines.
- Do not save leftover antibiotics or share them.
- If you are pregnant and have urinary symptoms, contact NHS 111, maternity triage, or your GP the same day.
- Men with a first UTI, and anyone with recurrent infections, should usually see a GP.
- Seek emergency care for a non-blanching rash, collapse, or severe breathlessness.
Side effects
Side effects
Antibiotics commonly upset the gut. Thrush can follow a course. Serious allergy is uncommon but needs emergency care.
- Nausea or diarrhoea Take with food if allowed. Contact us for severe or prolonged diarrhoea.
- Thrush Soreness or discharge after antibiotics. Ask us if you need advice.
- Rash Stop and seek advice. Swelling or breathing difficulty is an emergency.
- Headache or dizziness Usually mild. Read the leaflet for your specific antibiotic.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet for the antibiotic you are prescribed. Finish the course unless a clinician tells you to stop. The steps below are general.
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Start as soon as the medicine arrives if you still have symptoms
If you have become much more unwell while waiting, seek urgent care instead of starting a delayed pack at home.
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Take doses at even intervals with water
Some nitrofurantoin products are taken with food. Do not crush modified-release capsules. If you miss a dose, follow the leaflet — do not double up.
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Complete the course even when burning eases
Symptoms often improve within 48 hours. Stopping early encourages surviving bacteria and resistance.
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Look after the next 48 hours
If you are worse after a day or two, or you develop fever or back pain, do not wait until the pack is finished — seek further care. Do not share leftover tablets.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Cystitis is miserable but usually improves with the right antibiotic when one is needed. Kidney infection and sepsis can develop quickly. Pregnancy plus urinary symptoms needs same-day professional advice.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Fever, shaking, confusion, very fast breathing, mottled skin, or you feel extremely unwell — possible sepsis; go to A&E.
- Pain in the back or side (loin), vomiting, or you cannot keep fluids down — possible kidney infection; go to A&E or call NHS 111 immediately as advised.
- You cannot pass urine at all, or you have severe lower abdominal swelling and pain — possible retention; seek emergency care.
- A non-blanching rash, collapse, or severe breathlessness.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- You are pregnant, or think you might be, and have any urinary symptoms — contact maternity triage, NHS 111 or your GP the same day; do not wait for a private parcel.
- Symptoms are no better after 48 hours of an antibiotic, or they return as soon as you finish.
- You are a man with urinary symptoms, you have a catheter, kidney disease, or stones — see a GP rather than repeating remote courses.
- Three or more UTIs in a year, or blood in the urine that continues after infection settles — GP investigation is needed.
Nitrofurantoin 100mg MR capsules
Nitrofurantoin 100mg MR capsules for lower UTIs. One capsule twice daily for 3 days. £9.50. Pharmacist review required…
Nitrofurantoin 50mg tablets
Nitrofurantoin 50mg tablets for lower UTIs. One tablet four times a day for 3 days. £9.50. Pharmacist review…
Trimethoprim 100mg tablets
Trimethoprim 100mg tablets for urine infections. Two tablets twice daily for 3 days. £9.50. Pharmacist review required before…
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets
Trimethoprim 200mg tablets for urine infections. One tablet twice daily for 3 days. £9.50. Pharmacist review required before…
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Will I always get antibiotics?
No. The clinician may advise self-care, a delayed prescription approach, or in-person testing if your story is not typical.
How soon should I feel better?
Many people improve within 48 hours of starting an appropriate antibiotic. If you are worse, seek further care rather than waiting.
Can men use this UTI service?
Male UTIs are more often complicated. We may not prescribe remotely and may signpost you to a GP.
Does cranberry juice treat a UTI?
No. It does not replace antibiotics when a bacterial infection needs treatment.
Should I provide a urine sample?
Remote treatment is based on symptoms and history. Recurrent, unclear, or high-risk cases should have GP testing.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Clinical team
Meet our pharmacist and clinical team
Named UK-registered clinicians review consultations. Qualifications and public register details are listed on their profiles.
Khawaja Tanveer
Owner & Superintendent of Registered Pharmacy
Pharmacist
Qualifications
- Independent Prescribing Pharmacist
Professional experience
8 years of practice
Registration
Aleena Tanveer
Owner & Lead Prescribing Pharmacist
Pharmacist
Qualifications
- Prescribing Pharmacist
Professional experience
10 years of practice
Registration
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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