How do I treat a UTI?
Remember, only your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to kill the exact kind of bacteria that is causing your UTI. For a simple infection, you may take the antibiotic for 3 days or so. For a more serious infection, you may be given a prescription for 7 days or more.
Before you can see a doctor, or until the antibiotic starts to work, you can relieve the painful symptoms FAST with an over-the-counter urinary pain reliever like AZO STANDARD® or AZO STANDARD® Maximum Strength.
If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may suggest a different treatment course, or lifestyle changes. Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you may be taking, or allergies you have, and follow all instructions carefully for best results.
Fast relief for UTI symptoms
In the meantime, if you experience symptoms like pain, burning and frequent, urgent urination, you can get fast relief with AZO STANDARD® or AZO STANDARD® Maximum Strength. Take the tablets for just two days to relieve the pain, burning and urgency. It will not interfere with your antibiotic, but relieves the pain until the antibiotic starts to work.
AZO STANDARD® and AZO STANDARD® Maximum Strength contain Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, the #1 urinary specific ingredient prescribed by doctors for urinary discomfort. That's something that Tylenol, Advil and other popular pain relievers don't contain. Keep it in your medicine chest, so it's there for you at the first, painful sign of a UTI. It can start working in as little as 20 minutes. Use it only when you think you may have a UTI, not for menstrual pain, headaches, or other pain. And don't take AZO STANDARD® or AZO STANDARD® Maximum Strength for more than two days without consulting your physician.
What else you can do
- Drinking plenty of water may help to dilute your urine and help flush out bacteria.
- Avoid coffee, alcohol and soft drinks that contain citrus juices and caffeine, as they can irritate your bladder and aggravate your need to urinate.
- A heating pad placed over your abdomen can ease pressure and discomfort
- Drink 8-16 ounces of cranberry juice daily to keep bacteria from growing and clinging to your bladder wall. Or take AZO CRANBERRY® tablets to get benefits of cranberry juice in a more convenient way.
Will a UTI come back?
Most women don't have recurring infections, but it is common - in fact, one out of five women who get a UTI will get another one. If you do get another UTI, speak with your doctor about treatment options, he or she may prescribe a longer course of antibiotics or have other options for you. Changing some of your daily habits may also help to prevent future recurrences.
