A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when pathogenic bacteria invade your bladder, kidneys, or any other part of your urinary tract.
One of the best ways to treat a UTI is with antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Your doctor will recommend a specific antibiotic depending on your urine culture results.
Fortunately, we have a variety of antibiotics that can treat a UTI. Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, but you may be curious about generic options. Read on to know about the generic drugs for UTI, which fall under the category of antibiotics.
- Generic Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole)
Generic Bactrim is a combination of trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole. It treats UTI by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and killing them. It is one of the widely advised generic antibiotics for UTI. Generic Bactrim DS (160 mg trimethoprim and 800 mg sulfamethoxazole) is advised twice a day for 3 days.
- Generic Macrobid (nitrofurantoin)
Nitrofurantoin is another common antibiotic used specifically to treat UTIs. The drug keeps bacteria from making the DNA and proteins they need to survive, according to GoodRx. Doctors advise Generic Macrobid 100 mg twice a day for 5 days.
- Gemeric Monurol (fosfomycin)
Fosfomycin is one of the useful antibiotics for UTIs caused by highly resistant bacteria. The drug works by killing UTI-causing bacteria and preventing bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract, according to GoodRx.
- Generic Augmentin (amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate)
Actively composed of amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate, generic Augmentin belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics. It is yet another commonly advised antibiotic for UTIs. Doctors advise Generic Augmentin twice a day for 5 to 7 days.
- Generic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) or Generic Levaquin (levofloxacin)
Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are antibiotics that inhibit the proliferation of bacteria. These antibiotics work slightly better than amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate. Most doctors advise Generic Cipro 250 mg twice a day for 3 days or Generic Levaquin 250 mg once a day for 3 days.
Most antibiotics may cause some stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The duration of treatment depends on how severe your UTI is and the antibiotic prescribed.
To treat a complicated UTI, your doctor might prescribe a higher dose of antibiotics, according to WebMD. If you have a severe infection spreading to your kidneys, you might need to be hospitalized for a high-dose antibiotic that is given intravenously.
Choosing the best generic drug for UTI involves an evaluation of your condition. Your doctor may take certain factors into consideration, such as the severity of the UTI, your medical history, and a urine culture.
