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How Long Should I Continue Macrobid For UTI?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2015
Question: I have what seems to be a lot of blood in my urine. It was dark red this morning, accompanied by burning and pain when I urinated. Being a Saturday, I went to a walk in clinic at CVS where the nurse practitioner checked my urine with a strip against several bacterial infection types. It came back positive for blood and for a typical UTI bacteria. She prescribed Macrobid which I am taking now. If this clears up in 5 days of taking the antibiotic, should I just drop it, or continue to make sure it was inly a UTI causing much red blood coloring my urine solid red? I am a 57 year old female who is in good health and never smoked. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should take it for a week

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the usual dose of nitrofurantoin (macrobid) is 50-100mg four times per day for a week. Since you've just started taking the antibiotic, you should be aware that the pathogen may be resistant to it. If you come close to the end of the treatment and no significant improvement has occurred, you should contact your doctor for a more potent antibiotic. Quinolones (like ciprofloxacin) are very effective in urinary tract infections.

I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like more information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 minutes later)
Thank you, I will follow up with my own doctor with an appointment on Day 5 so that I can get more. I'm allergic to Cipro, Ceclor, penicillin, and all sulfa meds. I can take Keflex even though it is related to penicillin. I was concerned that all this blood may be more serious than just a UTI since I've had UTI's years ago but never with much blood - just a trace. It is frightening to see. I guess my question now is whether I should be concerned about bladder cancer, or is this just a UTI that is presenting with a lot of blood in my urine? Is that common? It has lessened since this morning but I am drinking a lot of water.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
bleeding is common in cystitis

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome.
Since you're allergic to so many medications, it would be better if you did an antibiogram, so that you wouldn't risk an allergic reaction for an antibiotic that would not cure you.
Bladder cancer is not common in women. Besides that, bleeding is very common in urinary tract infections (UTI). If you've had more than one UTI then radiological assessment of your urinary tract is advised. An ultrasound scan should suffice. Bleeding from cancer is not supposed to get better with antibiotics either and it won't normally cause burning when passing urine unless the blood forms clots and the clots obstruct the urethra.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)
That relieves my mind. I will ask about an antibiogram. This is my first UTI in over 20 years so I don't think I need an ultrasound unless I get another infection in the future. You have been very helpful.

Many thanks! XXXXXXX XXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Glad to help!

Detailed Answer:
Since you're not having recurrent infections, a single course of treatment should be sufficient. In case of recurrence, further investigation might be needed.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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How Long Should I Continue Macrobid For UTI?

Brief Answer: You should take it for a week Detailed Answer: Hello, the usual dose of nitrofurantoin (macrobid) is 50-100mg four times per day for a week. Since you've just started taking the antibiotic, you should be aware that the pathogen may be resistant to it. If you come close to the end of the treatment and no significant improvement has occurred, you should contact your doctor for a more potent antibiotic. Quinolones (like ciprofloxacin) are very effective in urinary tract infections. I hope I've helped! You can contact me again, if you'd like more information. Kind Regards!