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Prescription Cystitis Treatments
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder in women, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection called a urinary tract infection (UTI). While mild cases often get better by themselves in a few days, some cases may require treatment.
To order treatment for Cystitis online, simply complete a short assessment about your health. Our UK-based doctor will then review your assessment, usually within 24-hours and prescribe the most suitable treatment for you.
Treatments for Prescription Cystitis
Overview
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammatory condition of the bladder in women, which is usually caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). This can cause a frequent urge to urinate and a painful burning or stinging sensation while urinating.
Mild cases often get better by themselves after a few days, and during this time you should drink plenty of water and refrain from sex to aid recovery. However in some cases, treatment with a short course of antibiotics will be needed which our online GPs can prescribe for you.
Causes
Cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the urethra or bladder. In 90% of female cystitis cases, the cause is E. coli bacteria from the bowels. Women have a shorter urethra than men which is located closer to the anus. E. coli bacteria can move from the anus to the urethra due to poor hygiene habits such as wiping back to front instead of front to back.
Sex can also cause cystitis by rubbing bacteria into the urethra. This risk can be reduced by urinating directly after sex which will flush out any bacteria that has been transferred.
Sexually transmitted diseases may have some similar symptoms to cystitis. If you have a burning sensation during urination or discharge, you should visit your local sexual health clinic or GP.
Treatments
About Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that is used to treat urinary tract infections. The drug is filtered out of the blood into the urine by the kidneys. Once in the urine, nitrofurantoin will kill the bacteria that is causing the infection in the bladder and urinary tract.
One nitrofurantoin capsule is taken four times a day for 3 consecutive days. It’s important to finish the complete course of antibiotics even if your symptoms clear up sooner to prevent the infection from returning.
Nitrofurantoin can turn urine dark yellow or brown in colour.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.428.pdf
About MacroBid
MacroBid is an antibiotic that contains the active ingredient Nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin is filtered out of the blood into the urine by the kidneys. Once in the urine, nitrofurantoin will kill the bacteria that is causing the infection in the bladder and urinary tract.
MacroBid works gradually over a few hours so one prolonged-release capsule is taken only twice daily for 3 consecutive days. The capsules must be swallowed whole with no chewing or breaking open to take them. It’s important to finish the complete course of antibiotics even if your symptoms clear up sooner to prevent the infection from returning.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.428.pdf
About Trimethoprim
Trimethoprim is another antibiotic that works in a similar way to nitrofurantoin, killing the bacteria that cause the urinary tract infection.
One trimethoprim tablet is taken twice a day for 3 consecutive days. It’s important to finish the complete course of antibiotics even if your symptoms clear up sooner to prevent the infection from returning.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6089.pdf
Alternative treatments
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to help flush the infection from your bladder. Avoid alcoholic beverages and acidic fruit juices as these can aggravate your bladder further.
Painkillers such as paracetamol can also help relieve the pain during cystitis. Avoid having sex as this can further irritate the bladder and make the condition worse. Cranberry tablets or sachets may also have some impact on preventing cystitis, however they will not cure the infection.
Side effects
Nitrofurantoin (MacroBid):
Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Dizziness
For a full list of potential side effects from Nitrofurantoin and MacroBid please read the patient information leaflet.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.428.pdf
Trimethoprim:
Very common side effects (affects more than 10% of the population)
- Nausea/vomiting
Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
- Fungal infections
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
Symptoms
If you are suffering from a urinary tract infection like cystitis, it is essential to drink plenty of water to help flush the bacteria out of your bladder. The symptoms of cystitis can include:
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Bad smelling or cloudy urine
- Occasionally seeing blood in urine
- Pain in the lower abdomen
If you also experience constant pain and difficulty during urination then you may be suffering from other infections or kidney stones, and should immediately seek medical attention.
