Doxycycline For UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)

Doxycycline is a powerful antibiotic that is used for a variety of different clinical indications. It belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics and has particularly benefit in the management of chest infections along with urinary tract infections (UTI). In this article, we shall briefly review the use of doxycycline in managing urinary tract infections, concentrating on the dose and its effectiveness.

Urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection refers to an infection of a part of the urinary system in the body ranging from the kidney to the ureters and urinary bladder. A urinary tract infection can also include infections of the urethra which is a tube that carries urine out of the bladder.

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that enters the urethra and then passes up into the bladder. On some occasions, this infection can extend upwards through the ureters into the kidney. Urinary tract infections are common in women and in patients who have underlying diabetes mellitus. Clinical symptoms can be rather annoying and include a fever along with burning sensation when the urine is being passed. Patients may also notice increased frequency and urgency to pass urine.

Treatment with doxycycline

Doxycycline can act against the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. It is prescribed in varying doses but often given at a 100 mg dose twice a day for a period of seven days. In the event that the infection is a lot more serious, higher doses of doxycycline may need to be prescribed for a prolonged period of time.

Following treatment doxycycline, patients may notice an improvement in their symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. However, along with taking the medication, patients need to observe certain changes to their regular habits such as consuming a lot more fluid as long as it is permissible. Increase consumption of fluid allows for the urinary bladder to be flushed out of infection.

Doxycycline for UTI can be particularly effective in individuals who are not responding to other medication. However, it must be borne in mind that many a times, urinary tract infections can occur due to different bacteria, some of which may not be sensitive to doxycycline. It is therefore essential for all patients who have a urinary tract infection to undergo a urine culture and sensitivity to ascertain the bacteria causing the infection and to determine whether doxycycline would be an appropriate choice. Prescribing doxycycline without the culture report can sometimes result in side-effects that can be more troublesome than the actual urinary infection itself.

Once the infection has been treated, there can be occasions when the infection returns. In such situations, further antibiotic courses may be required. Sometimes, a prolonged course of antibiotics may be warranted in the event that the urinary tract infections are recurrent.

Doxycycline is a powerful tetracycline antibiotic that has clinical applications in the management of urinary tract infections. Symptoms resolved within 24 to 48 hours of starting the treatment and treatment durations vary depending on the severity of the illness.