6 Medicines for cystitis

Medications for cystitis, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or analgesics, help to treat and relieve symptoms of cystitis such as pain, frequent urination, heaviness in the bladder, turbid urine with intense and unpleasant odor or fever, for example.

The treatment of cystitis with medication must be guided by a urologist or general practitioner, according to the type of cystitis, which can be acute, whose symptoms appear suddenly, or interstitial, which is chronic and long-lasting cystitis.

La cystitis is a type of urinary infection that arises when the bacteria arrive in the bladder, being mainly caused by E. coli, which forms part of the intestinal flora and can spread through the urethra and posteriorly to the bladder, causing infection. See how to identify urinary infection.

The main drugs indicated for the treatment of cystitis are:

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotics correspond to the first line of treatment for cystitis, and must be indicated by the doctor to deal with the bacteria responsible for the infection. These medicines must be used according to medical guidance, considering the most common:

• phosphomycin (Monurol and Fosfocil), whose generally recommended dosage is 1 on 8 g in a single dose or every 24 hours, for 2 days, which should preferably be taken with the stomach and empty bladder, and in the evening before going to sleep;
• nitrofurantoin (Macrodantina), with a generally recommended dosage of 1 capsule of 100 mg, every 6 hours, for 7 to 10 days;
• Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (Bactrim or Bactrim F), whose normally recommended dose is 1 tablet of Bactrim F or 2 tablets of Bactrim, every 12 hours, for at least 5 days, according to medical advice;
• fluoroquinoloneslike ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, whose dosage depends on the medication the doctor prescribes;
• Penicillin or derivatives, as is the case of cephalosporins, such as cephalexin or ceftriaxone, whose dosage also varies according to the prescribed medication.

Generally, the symptoms of cystitis disappear after a few days of treatment, however, it is important to finish all the treatment by the time determined by the doctor.

2. Antispasmodics and analgesics

In most cases, cystitis causes unpleasant symptoms such as pain and burning when urinating, increased urinary frequency, abdominal pain or heaviness in the bladder, which is why the doctor could combine the use of antibiotics with antispasmodic drugs such as Flavoxate (Bladuril, Urodial) or Scopalamine (Buscopan), both of which are medications that relieve all these symptoms associated with the urinary tract.

Furthermore, while Phenazopyridine does not have antispasmodic action, it also relieves the pain and burning characteristic of cystitis, as it is an analgesic that acts on the urinary tract.

3. Antiseptics

Antiseptics, such as methenamine and methylthioninium chloride, can also help relieve pain and burning in urination, eliminating bacteria from the urinary tract and preventing recurrent infections, these should be used under medical advice.

4. Anti-inflammatory

The anti-inflammatories for cystitis indicated by the doctor, such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen, help to reduce inflammation in the bladder, relieving pain and urinary discomfort caused by cystitis.

These medications can be taken together with antispasmodics, which contain scopolamine, which help to reduce muscle contractions in the bladder and urethra that cause pain when urinating.

5. Vaccine

Another type of medication for cystitis that can be prescribed by the doctor is a vaccine in the form of tablets, Uro-Vaxom, which has components extracted from E. coli that act by stimulating the body’s natural defenses, being used to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections or as an adjunct in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections.

6. Home remedies options

Home remedies for cystitis such as león’s disease or perejil’s infusion are a good option to help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by cystitis, and can be used to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor. See other home remedies options and how to prepare them.

In addition, supplements with red cranberry extract, also called cranberry, can be used, which can be associated with other components that act to prevent the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract, contributing to the good functioning of a balanced microflora, creating an adverse environment for development of cystitis.

See in the video the continuation of some home remedies to fight urinary infection:

Medications for interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic inflammation that can cause pain and the sensation of pressure in the bladder. The medicines used in the treatment only reduce the symptoms of the illness:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatoriessuch as ibuprofen or naproxen, to relieve pain and inflammation;
• antihistamines such as loratadine, which reduces waning and urinary frequency, in addition to relieving other symptoms;
• Sodium pentosan polysulfatethat even though science is not separated from its mechanism of action, it is thought that it protects the internal walls of the bladder from the irritants present in the urinary bladder;
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine, which help relax the bladder and block pain.

Another treatment alternative is the application of drugs directly into the bladder such as dimethyl sulfoxide, heparin or lidocaine, always under medical indication.