Beyond the Cure: Analyzing the Side Effects of UTI Antibiotics
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) requires antibiotics, which kill the bacteria causing the infection.
However, the antibiotics used often cause side effects in the patients.
These side effects can vary from person to person, depending on the type of antibiotic used.
Knowing the side effects caused by various UTI antibiotics beforehand is important to prevent them.
Read on to learn more about the side effects of UTI antibiotics and how they can be managed effectively.
The link between UTIs and antibiotics
Most UTIs involve using a combination of different antibiotics as the doctor prescribes.
Nitrofurantoin, Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, and Tetracycline are some prescribed antibiotics for UTI treatment.
However, using antibiotics is not without its drawbacks.
Most antibiotics are responsible for causing side effects in the patients.
Let us take a closer look at the side effects of UTI antibiotics.
Common side effects of antibiotics for UTI
The side effects of antibiotics differ from person to person.
Since most antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections are orally administered, they affect the whole body’s functioning.
The common side effects consist of:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gastric discomfort
Drug-induced fever is another widespread side effect of antibiotics observed in many hospital patients.
Most of these common side effects are mild and disappear soon after the withdrawal of antibiotic treatments.
The other major side effects are allergic reactions, temporary results, and severe impact.
Allergic reactions
Antibiotics often cause an allergic reaction in the human body.
The extent and symptoms of allergic reactions depend on the type of antibiotics used.
The commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs have the following allergic reactions:
- Amoxicillin and Cephalosporins have been reported to cause skin rashes in patients
- Tetracyclines have been found to irritate the gut and Dermatitis (irritation of the skin)
- Nitrofurantoin is also suspected of causing skin issues
In rare cases, antibiotics can cause Anaphylaxis (an extreme form of allergic reaction), which can cause death.
Temporary effects
Most antibiotics can cause side effects that are short-term in nature.
These effects are seen as an indication to stop antibiotic treatment for Urinary Tract Infections.
The side effects disappear naturally when the antibiotics are withdrawn from the individual.
Some infections are also caused by using antibiotics in patients.
Let us look at the infections and temporary side effects caused by antibiotics.
Fungal infections
Antibiotics can sometimes kill the good bacteria that protect us from fungal infections.
One such fungal infection is Candida (Candidiasis) of the mouth, vagina, and digestive tract.
The main symptoms are white patches inside the mouth and throat, bleeding while brushing teeth, and pain while swallowing.
Vaginal yeast infections
UTI antibiotics can sometimes lead to Vaginal Yeast Infections.
The symptoms of the infection include:
- Irritation of the vulva and vagina
- A burning sensation during intercourse and urination
- Pelvic and abdominal pain
- Fevers and chills
Physicians prescribe antifungal drugs like Fluconazole to treat vaginal yeast infections.
Drug interactions
Different antibiotics can interact with one another or other medications inside the body.
Drug interactions greatly reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics.
A few antibiotics, like Doxycycline, have been found to interact with alcohol in the human body.
It is advised to consult with your doctor before taking any antibiotics to avoid any possibility of drug interactions.
Severe effects
Severe side effects related to the use of antibiotics are rare but can be life-threatening when it happens.
Some of the serious UTI antibiotic side effects are as follows:
- Azithromycin can cause changes in the rhythm of the heart, causing deadly heart attacks
- Nitrofurantoin has been reported to cause severe pulmonary (related to lungs) reactions, irreversible damage to the nervous system, and Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
- Ciprofloxacin causes physical weakening of the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves, and the central nervous system
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) overdose leads to kidney failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
- Tetracyclines induce liver injury and increase the chances of kidney failure
- Doxycycline also causes liver injury
This causes diarrhea, which is called Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD).
Besides causing various severe side effects, the casual use of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance is a major health risk for patients and public health alike.
According to an estimate, antibiotic resistance kills over twenty thousand people in the US every year.
All antibiotics carry the risk of causing antibiotic resistance in the pathogen.
When used too much, antibiotics cause the bacterial pathogen to develop resistance to that antibiotic.
The resistance causes the antibiotic to fail in treating the infection.
When this resistant pathogen spreads in the community, it becomes a public health problem.
Such resistant bacteria cause serious infections, which cannot be cured easily.
It is important to discuss with your physician to stop overdosing on a particular antibiotic and prevent resistance from happening.
Always consult your healthcare professionals immediately if any complications arise.
Prevention and management
Although antibiotics are generally used for Urinary Tract Infections, attention must be given to their use.
The use of antibiotics should not extend beyond their recommended dosage and duration.
Self-medication with antibiotics always carries the potential for adverse side effects.
If any side effect is observed, it is advisable to report it to your healthcare professional for a timely remedy.
Since there are many types of antibiotics, your physician is the best person to recommend the one with the least side effects.
Takeaway
Most UTIs require antibiotic intervention for treatment.
Antibiotics can have specific side effects, such as allergic reactions and temporary or adverse effects.
Most allergic reactions are mild and stop when the patient stops taking antibiotics.
Temporary effects are more prominent and include Candidiasis, Vaginal Yeast Infection, and antibiotic-drug interactions.
Severe reactions are more adverse and can cause permanent damage to different organs of the body.
Excessive use of antibiotics for UTIs can also result in antibiotic resistance in the pathogens, a public health problem.
People are advised to seek timely professional help to counter the side effects of UTI antibiotics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to take UTI antibiotics?
It is completely safe to take antibiotics for UTI in prescribed doses. The best way to treat UTI is to use antibiotics specific to the particular pathogen causing the infection. However, it is not advised to take antibiotics by yourself, as it can cause side effects.
How many days can you take antibiotics for UTI?
The number of days depends on the type and extent of infection in the urinary tract. Most cases require the use of antibiotics for one to two weeks. It is essential to take antibiotics for the prescribed period; otherwise, the infection can reoccur.
Why do I feel worse after taking UTI antibiotics?
You may feel sick after taking UTI antibiotics because of their side effects. Most antibiotics are strong drugs that can cause side effects in patients. However, most are temporary and disappear once you stop taking antibiotics.
What are the most likely side effects of urinary system medications?
Most likely, side effects consist of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dizziness, and skin problems. Although rare, serious side effects include Hemolytic Anemia, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), muscle weakening, and lack of sleep.
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