how long does it take for antibiotics to work on urinary tract infections?

Question

I've been having very bad urinary tract infection for about 1 week (with blood every time I go to the bathroom).I took trimethoprim for 3 days but it didn't get better so the doctor gave me nitrofurantoin..today is the second day and its not improving. How long does it normally take to get better???

Answer 1

Nitrofurantoin (macrodantin or macrobid) can be used to help
prevent urinary tract infections, but are not very successful when the infection has had time to grow stronger. Did your Dr perform a urinalysis? I hope so. You really need to know what kind of bug you are working with. If an antibiotic is working, you should start feeling better in three days. Otherwise, go back to your doctor!!
I was given this form of drug by my gynecologist for frequent
urinary tract infections. It never worked. I was miserable and eventually went to see a Urologist. He suggested that the above drugs are good when you need to "wash" out the bacteria in your
urethra and bladder BEFORE they have a chance to attach to the walls of either. (this is done for people who have frequent uti's-you take one a day as a preventative) Once attached, the bacteria can grow and eventually move up into your kidneys if you can't get on a medication capable of killing the bug. I just really think that you need to make sure your Dr did a urinalysis-
and insist that he puts you on a strong medication known to kill
the bacteria that is found! Good Luck! I can so relate!!

Answer 2

Sometimes if you have had the urinary tract infection for a while and sometimes this happens by the time you start having blood in your urine, it is extremely difficult to clear up. I had one for 3 weeks, and the last antibiotic I was put on, the doctor told me that if it did not clear up, I would be hospitalized for it. So it may take 3 weeks for it to go away, with having to take 3 different antibiotics to clear it up.

Answer 3

Go back to the doctors office and they will give her a different antibiotic. There are many resistant strains and they will give her a 'stronger' medication and then culture the urine to make sure it works. It is important that you go back soon because 8 days is a long time and things can get worse and effect other things such as fertility is left too long. The symptoms will resolve in less then a day or so with appropriate antibiotics.

Answer 4

My 78 year old pretty healthy mother has had a UTI for almost 4 weeks. She waited to seek treatment for a few days but then the doctor prescribed Bactrim. Later he found out that the C&S said Amoxicillin was the drug of choice. She went on the drug for a week, but only at half of the correct dose due to a pharmacy error. Once that was discovered, she started on the correct dose, and has been on that for 5 days. Still no improvement, and now she is feverish, with back pain and up 20x a night! How can the C&S say Amox is the right drug but it doesn't work. I encouraged her to go see her doctor tomorrow. Am so worried about her due to her lack of improvement. She is so exhausted now, seems to be getting tired-er all the time. She had a TIA (mild stroke) and is now on Lipitor, but otherwise she walks 5 miles a day and is very healthy. I am concerned this is wearing her out.

Answer 5

The problem with treating UTI, is getting the antibiotics to the site of infection. Most of them are too large to enter the urinary tract through the glomerulous, so it takes longer than normal for any improvement to be seen. I assume that they took a culture sample - if they didn't it could be that the bug is tollerent to nitrofurantoin.

Answer 6

How should I take nitrofurantoin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take nitrofurantoin with food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
You may mix your liquid dose with water, milk, or fruit juice to make it easier to swallow. Drink the entire mixture right away.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Nitrofurantoin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Nitrofurantoin is usually given for up to 3 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared.
If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office.
Nitrofurantoin can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using nitrofurantoin.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.


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Answer 7

I have had three UTIs in the past year. The only drug that has worked is Cipro. If possible get the extended release form of Cipro. Must drink LOTS of water with Cipro. Also, in the future try to be tuned in to other symptoms before you have blood, etc. Frequent urination, feeling like you MUST go NOW, and pain in the very low abdomen...right by the pelvic bone in front of the bladder, and chills as a sign of your body trying to fight it. Now that I know the early symptoms, I have been able to make it into the Dr. before there's blood and all that. It's still super painful, but at least the antibiotics get in there before it's severe or goes to the kidneys. Definitely get your Dr. to do a culture...you don't want to mess around with this.

Answer 8

Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) is taken for 10 days. You need to give it at least 48 hours. I believe you are taking a once daily dose. Don't skip any doses and take it all. Drink 3 liters of water a day and omit cranberry juice for the time being. (I guarantee that you'll be advised to drink this by someone who answers this question) Someone else brought up a very good point - has your urine been cultured? Did you give a urine specimen about 2 weeks ago? If not, speak to your doctor on Tuesday about running a STAT urine C & S. You can quote me if you like.

Answer 9

I am not a doctor but every time they prescribed they always tell the patient that the antibiotic takes effect after 3 days. It means it on this day the medicine starts to weaken the bacteria and it will another 4 days to really them. If no effect yet after taking the med. for 3 or more days, I think you can request the doctor to presecribe a higher dose and higher level of antibiotic.

Answer 10

Nitrofurantoin For Uti