Adult

UTI, lower treatment according to susceptibility tests

Once results are available from urine culture, antibiotics can be tailored according to identified organism and its susceptibility tests. 

Treatment of multiple drug-resistant isolates should be discussed with Micro ID.

This guideline is NOT intended for pregnant patients. See UTI, lower, non-severe (pregnant)

Treatment duration: 3 days for women, 3-7 days for men

First Line

trimethoprim 200mg po bd - if susceptible; usually 3 days

Alternative

If resistant to trimethoprim: nitrofurantoin 50mg po qds (caution: do not use if eGFR is under 45 ml/min/1.73m2). Adverse effects have been reported with nitrofurantoin see Nitrofurantoin MHRA drug safety updates

If resistant to nitrofurantoin or eGFR under 45ml/min/1.73m2: amoxicillin 500 mg po tds

If resistant to amoxicillin: cefalexin 500mg po bd

If resistant to cefalexin: pivmecillinam 400mg po STAT then 200mg po tds 

If resistant to pivmecillinam: fosfomycin 3g po once only

Important Notes

trimethoprim should not be given to patients taking methotrexate

nitrofurantoin is only recommended when eGFR exceeds 45ml/min/1.73m2. Adverse effects have been reported with nitrofurantoin see Nitrofurantoin MHRA drug safety updates

pivmecillinam and amoxicillin are penicillin-based antibiotics and should not be used where there is a history of penicillin allergy

pivmecillinam should not be given to patients taking valproate or methotrexate

fosfomycin is a single 3g oral sachet which lasts 3 days

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 04 Sept 2023

Author(s): AMST.

Approved By: MMTC