Nitrofurantoin is the usual first-choice antibiotic for an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, because it concentrates in the urine where the infection is. For that same reason it is no use for infections anywhere else in the body.
Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections — cystitis. It is also used at a low dose to prevent recurrent UTIs in some people.
At Lyng Pharmacy we can assess women aged 16 to 64 with an uncomplicated UTI under the Pharmacy First service and supply treatment where appropriate, without a GP appointment.
A typical treatment course is three days for women, though your prescriber may advise longer. Take it with food or a glass of milk — this improves absorption and reduces nausea considerably.
Space doses evenly through the day and finish the course even if symptoms settle after a day or two.
Drink plenty of water throughout.
It can be used earlier in pregnancy where appropriate. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or might be.
Nausea, loss of appetite, headache and diarrhoea are the common ones, and taking it with food helps. Your urine may turn dark yellow or brown, which is harmless and expected.
Get medical advice promptly for:
Contact your GP or NHS 111 if you have back or side pain, a high temperature, shivering, nausea and vomiting, blood in the urine, or if symptoms are not improving after 48 hours of treatment. Those can point to a kidney infection, which needs different management. UTIs in men, in pregnancy, in children, and in anyone with a catheter also need medical assessment.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Ask our pharmacist →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
