The Best Options for Over-the-Counter UTI Treatment

If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know how painful it can be. That first twinge of pain when you go to the bathroom puts you on immediate high alert. You know you need to start treatment as soon as possible, but getting an appointment isn’t always easy.

Over-the-counter (OTC) UTI treatment might seem like a great way to get over this hurdle. But even though OTC medications for a UTI might help your symptoms, they can’t cure your UTI. Let’s take a look at which UTI medications are available OTC and how to use them safely.

1. Phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine (AZO, Pyridium) is a medication that helps treat the pain and discomfort when you go to the bathroom. You can take phenazopyridine up to 3 times a day for up to 3 days. People start feeling better within 20 minutes to an hour after taking this medication.

It’s important to know that even though phenazopyridine makes UTI pain feel better, it doesn’t actually get rid of your UTI. This means that even though you might be feeling better while taking this medication, your infection could actually be getting worse.

For this reason, phenazopyridine should be taken along with an antibiotic. You should never take phenazopyridine by itself. And note that phenazopyridine has a dye that turns your urine orange. The dye can stain clothes permanently.

2. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen (Tylenol and Advil) are general OTC pain relievers. They can help with stomach pain, back pain, and general discomfort from UTIs. Both of these medications come in liquid forms, so they’re helpful alternatives to phenazopyridine for people who can’t take pills.

3. Cranberry products

Cranberry products come in many forms, including pills, tablets, and juices, as well as dried fruits. Some people think that cranberry products help relieve their UTI symptoms. The truth, however, is that these products can’t cure UTIs once they start. There’s not even a lot of evidence that they can keep you from getting UTIs in the first place. It’s possible that people feel better after drinking cranberry juice simply because they’re drinking extra fluids.

If you like cranberry juice, though, there’s no harm in trying it while you’re taking antibiotics. But stay away from high-sugar options, and look for pure cranberry juice instead. 

4. D-mannose powder

D-mannose powder is a type of sugar powder that you mix with fluids and drink. It’s found in many health food stores. Many people use D-mannose powder to prevent UTIs. But research shows that it doesn’t seem to help. Like with cranberry juice, it’s not clear if D-mannose itself helps UTI symptoms — or if it’s just the extra fluids that really do the trick.

5. Probiotics

Some people prefer to use probiotics all the time, while others opt for them when they’re sick. While probiotics won’t help with UTI symptoms, they might provide general health benefits. And there’s ongoing research to see if probiotics can play a role in the prevention of UTIs.

Can you get rid of a UTI with OTC treatment?

You can’t get rid of a UTI with OTC medications, but the treatments can make you more comfortable.

UTIs are painful and can disrupt your usual activities. And it takes about 24 hours of antibiotic therapy to start feeling better. While you’re waiting for the antibiotics to work, OTC treatment for UTI can bridge the gap so you can keep going to work or school.

Another thing you can do while you wait is to drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated can help get rid of your UTI faster.

What about treating a UTI with antibiotics?

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics cure the UTI by getting rid of the bacteria that are causing the infection. Most people with a UTI feel better after just 1 to 2 days of taking antibiotics. Common antibiotics that are used to treat a UTI include:

• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

• Fosfomycin (Monurol)

• Trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

• Cefdinir

• Cefadroxil

• Cefpodoxime

• Cephalexin (Keflex)

• Amoxicillin / clavulanic acid (Augmentin)

Antibiotics can cure the infection, but they can also cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. If you still have UTI symptoms after 2 or 3 days of antibiotics, that’s a sign you’re not responding to antibiotics and need to start a different one.

You might be wondering if you can get better without antibiotics. Unfortunately, UTIs don’t typically go away on their own, except in rare cases. And if you’re older, pregnant, or at higher risk for serious illnesses from a UTI, you don’t want to wait to start antibiotics. Keep in mind that infants and children with a UTI should also start antibiotics right away.

Can you get antibiotics for a UTI over the counter without seeing a doctor?

You need to talk with a healthcare professional to get a prescription for an antibiotic. But it’s possible to get a prescription for antibiotics without seeing a healthcare professional in person.

If this is your first UTI, it can be helpful to see a healthcare professional in person. This is a good idea if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) — especially since STIs and UTIs can have similar symptoms. You can get a physical exam and lab tests. In some cases, you may also be asked to give a urine sample. The office visit, exam, and lab tests can all help you figure out whether it’s a UTI or another condition.

But if it’s not your first UTI, you can get antibiotics simply by talking to a healthcare professional on the phone or over video. One strategy is to call your primary care provider’s office. If you’re an established patient, they may be willing to call in a prescription for you. They may also be able to give you medical advice over the phone.

Another option is to see an online healthcare professional. With telehealth, you can get equally good care for your UTI from the comfort of your own home. There are many telehealth options for diagnosing and treating UTIs, including GoodRx Care.

If finances are a challenge, you can search for a free clinic in your area. Planned Parenthood also offers low or no-cost telehealth visits in many areas.

Are UTI antibiotics available online?

Online pharmacies can be a safe and convenient way to buy prescription medication. But remember: Antibiotics aren’t available in the U.S. without a prescription. If you find a website willing to sell antibiotics without a prescription, it’s probably too good to be true (and may even be illegal). Buying medications online without a prescription can be dangerous. These pharmacies can sell counterfeit (fake) medications that are unsafe or contain unknown ingredients. It’s also likely that they aren’t taking steps to protect your private health information.

If you want to get medical care online, you can try a telemedicine service as mentioned above. These services allow you to meet with a healthcare professional online, and then pick up your prescription later at a local pharmacy. 

Which home remedies help treat a UTI?

There are no home remedies that can fully treat a UTI. They can only help with symptoms. UTIs are caused by bacteria and can only be treated correctly with antibiotics. Most home remedies don’t have any good evidence that they work, but they may not hurt to try.

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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