Several treatments can cure a urinary tract infection. Do not delay taking them to be quickly relieved. Leading drugs are antibiotics. Among them, the Fosfomycin (Fosfocin®, Monuril®, Uridoz®) can be taken at once: “She works in 30-45 minutes and can then remain active for about 2 days after taking it“, explains Dr. Monique Quillard, general practitioner. It is also advisable to also take probiotics For help damaged flora by bacteria, parasites or fungi to replenish.

What medicine to take in case of urinary tract infection?

Treatment for urinary tract infections is based on antibiotic therapy. It can be:

►One single-dose, single-dose treatment : “It is the most recommended and given in 1st intention. it’s about the Fosfomycin (Monuril ®) for women and adolescents. This antibiotic belongs to the family of phosphonic acids“, explains Pr. de la Taille, urologist. As side effects, it can cause nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches and vaginal inflammation, mycosis type.

►One short antibiotic treatment over 3 to 5 days : an antibiotic close to the family of penicillins (Selexid ®) or the family of quinolones (Ciprofloxacin ®, Ofloxacin ®). It can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin rashes and yeast-like vaginal inflammation.

► probiotics : they allow restore the intestinal flora, often compromised by antibiotic treatment. They are to be taken over a period of at least one month, preferably in the evening and away from meals or hot drinks.

Antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection

From the first symptoms of cystitis, and after confirmation by urine dipstick or ECBU with antibiogram in case of recurrence and doubt about the effectiveness of the usual antibiotics: burning during urination, frequent and urgent urge to urinate. “Better treat the infection quickly to prevent it from growing further and possibly rising into the kidneys (pyelonephritis)“, advocates Dr. Monique Quillard.

Single-dose treatments (all at once) to treat a urinary tract infection

There Fosfomycin (Fosfocin®, Monuril®, Uridoz®) is a monodose antibiotic. It is the treatment prescribed by the doctor in first intention in case of simple and non recurrent cystitis. “It comes in the form of sachet of powder to be diluted in water. Ideally, the treatment should be taken away from meals (2 to 3 hours before or after), preferably at bedtime and after urinatingso that the concentration is maximal in the bladder. It works in 30-45 minutes and can then remain active for about 2 days after taking it“, says Dr. Quillard.

What are the non-prescription treatments for urinary tract infection?

THE probiotics are part of the treatments sold without a prescription. By restoring the vaginal florathey allow limit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the urinary tract and help prevent recurrences. There Lactobacillus helveticus probiotic strain in particular has a strong ability to inhibit the adhesion of bacteria to the bladder wall. “Furthermore, although the Fosfomycin either in list I, so delivered on medical prescription, it is one of the medicines that the community pharmacist may, in some cases, sell without a prescription pursuant to 10° of Article L. 5125-1-1 A of the Public Health Code and subject to information from the attending physician designated by the patient“, says Dr. Quillard.

What are the treatments for urinary tract infection available in pharmacies?

THE antibiotics are all available in pharmacies but on prescription. THE probiotics are available in pharmacies and parapharmacieswithout a prescription.

What are the natural treatments for urinary tract infection?

The treatment is based on certain hygiene rules: to drink a lot of waterbetween 1.5 and 2 liters per day, in order to promote the elimination of the bacteria in question, urinate after each sexual intercourse, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight and made of synthetic material, wipe from front to back and limit the use of tampons and panty liners. In 25% of cases, these solutions are enough to cure in 48 hours. THE Natural Healing can also help you:
►In herbal medicine :

• There cranberry : “This little red berry contains flavonoids, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins which all work synergistically in preventing Escherichia coli, responsible for most urinary tract infections, from adhering to the bladder wall. Unable to attach, bacteria are naturally eliminated by natural means, without being able to induce disease“, explains Sylvie Hampikian. Studies have shown that the consumption of this fruitwhether in the form of juice or capsules, makes it possible to reduce the frequency of recurrence of urinary tract infections by 20 to 60% (1). These health benefits were recognized by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (Afssaps) on April 6, 2004.
• THE thyme. Because this plant has antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral propertiesit can treat urinary tract infection and calm the symptoms. Diureticthyme increases urine volume and stimulates elimination functionswhich promotes the evacuation of the bacteria in question.
• THE lemon. He has antiseptic virtues and, thanks to its richness in vitamin C, immunostimulant. To take advantage of these benefits while boosting the effectiveness of your treatment, you can add a teaspoon per cup of lemon juice.

►In homeopathy :
Take at the first symptoms 4 CH Anticolibacillary Serum, at the rate of one ampoule 3 times a day for 4 days. It’s the reference treatment to quickly relieve pain in the bladder. “If your pain is more like burning when you urinate, prefer Cantharis 9 CH, 5 pellets after each painful urination. Finally, if your urine is cloudy and very odorous, take Formica Rufa 5CH 5 pellets after each painful urination”, recommends Dr. Monique Quillard, homeopathic doctor. “Recently a product was put on the market in France: Canephron®, herbal medicine containing Small Centaury, Lovage and Rosemary. Published studies show efficacy in the acute phase substantially equal to that of Fosfomycin “.

What treatment in case of recurrent urinary tract infection?

We talk about recurrent cystitis when they occur at least 4 times a year. “In this context, it is then necessary consult a urologist for a check-up including a clinical examination, and sometimes cystoscopy and ultrasound of the urinary tract. The treatment is then of longer duration over 3-4 days followed by a low-dose antibiotic treatment such as fosfomycin 1 sachet once a week in the evening before bedtime for 6 months.says the urologist.

Thanks to Pr Alexandre De la Taille, urologist at the CHU de Mondor in Créteil, Dr. Monique Quillard, general practitioner and Sylvie Hampikian, pharmacologist specializing in alternative medicine.