Cystitis, or urinary tract infection, is classified as ICD 10 and is coded N39.0.  

You should know that cystitis is a fairly common disease that most often occurs in women (mainly due to the structure of the genitourinary system). Although it is not difficult to treat, it can cause many unpleasant symptoms. 

It affects sexually active people, mainly due to the proximity of the bladder and anus. Statistically, cystitis most often occurs in young women (between 15 and 34 years of age) and in postmenopausal women. In men, symptoms most often appear during andropause (after the age of 50). This disease can also be caused by the body getting too cold, which is known as a chilled bladder. 

Cystitis – whether acute cystitis or interstitial cystitis – is usually caused by E. coli and other bacteria (Staphylococcus or Enterococcus) in the lower part of the digestive tract (specifically the rectum). Sometimes, cystitis can also be caused by chlamydia (chlamydial infection of the urinary tract) and gonorrhoea (gonorrhoeal cystitis).

Nowadays, there are many ways to treat cystitis. The most common and most popular cystitis medications are bladder antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs. You can buy urinary tract disinfectants in pharmacies without a prescription.

Prescription cystitis medication

Cystitis medication is widely available in every pharmacy. There are many different preparations, but unfortunately, there is no over-the-counter cystitis antibiotic. This is the most common and most effective treatment. Since the disease is most commonly caused by bacteria, the treatment of cystitis usually requires an antibiotic from the penicillin group. Cystitis medication is available on prescription, but it is highly effective.

Cystitis antibiotic - how does it work?

Cystitis is a disease caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses that causes a range of urinary tract problems. A Escherichia coli bacterium is responsible for over 80% of cases. The bacterium usually enters the urinary tract in an ascending manner. It is most commonly transferred from the anal area to the urethra and then to the bladder.

Due to their anatomical structure, women are more likely to suffer from cystitis. The proximity of the urethra and anus in women means that bacteria have a much shorter and easier route to travel to cause infection than is the case in men.

It is worth noting that bacteria that have colonised the bladder can travel higher up to the upper urinary tract and cause a much more serious illness - pyelonephritis. To prevent this, the patient takes antibacterial drugs - antibiotics or chemotherapeutics - which prevent the microbes from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

Antibiotics for the bladder - are they always necessary?

Antibiotic treatment is not always necessary. For cystitis with mild symptoms (so-called bladder flu), home remedies or over-the-counter medication are sufficient. However, if this treatment is not successful, you should see a doctor who will prescribe the right antibiotic.

Antibiotic treatment should be based on the culture of urine. Sometimes, however, doctors prescribe an antibiotic without knowing which specific strain of bacteria has colonised the urinary tract. They choose an antibiotic that fights the microorganisms responsible for most cases of cystitis, namely E. coli bacteria.

Cystitis - antibiotics. Which antibiotics are usually prescribed for cystitis?

The antibiotics most commonly prescribed for cystitis are amoxicillin, fosfomycin and cephalexin.

Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin used for acute cystitis, acute pyelonephritis and asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy. It is a broad-spectrum drug. It effectively fights many strains of bacteria, often also resistant to the action of other antibiotics.

Phosphomycin is a synthetic medicine, a phosphonic acid derivative with a strong antibacterial effect. Phosphomycin is prescribed by doctors for acute cystitis and heavy asymptomatic bacteriuria. It is worth mentioning that there is an antibiotic powder containing fosfomycin and trometamol on the pharmacy market. This medicine is readily used by patients due to the speed of treatment - only a single dose of the medicine is taken. In Poland, medicines such as Symural 3g or Monural 3g are available. 

Cephalexin belongs to the group of semi-synthetic antibiotics called cephalosporins. It is an antibiotic effective in the treatment of colon bacillus infections and is prescribed for most urinary tract infections and acute prostatitis.

Urinary tract antibiotic or chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy, i.e. synthetic drugs that fight microbes, is also administered to treat cystitis. Sometimes chemotherapy drugs are categorised as antibiotics, but there is a fundamental difference between the two: antibiotics, unlike chemotherapy drugs, are usually derived from natural substrates or have their counterparts in nature. Chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat cystitis include ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug, and nitroxoline, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Doctors also prescribe co-trimoxazole, which is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

Over-the-counter cystitis medication

Another group of drugs used to treat cystitis are chemotherapeutics. These are fully synthetic drugs that have an effect similar to antibiotics. They are most often prescribed on doctor's orders, but some of them are also available over the counter. 

Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat mild and moderately advanced stages of cystitis. 

The most popular chemotherapy drugs include active substances such as:

trimethoprim, a bacteriostatic substance; it is a derivative of diaminopyrimidine;

furagin, a nitrofuran derivative used as an antibacterial drug; it is commonly used for mild cystitis;

nitroxoline, with antibacterial and antifungal properties;

ciprofloxacinum, a second-generation quinolone chemotherapy drug with a bactericidal effect. Very often used as a first-line drug.

Cystitis medication from this group should be taken for 3 days (for women) or 7 days (for men) and should not be stopped even if the symptoms of cystitis have disappeared.

Over-the-counter cystitis medication also includes various herbal preparations with antibacterial and diuretic effects. They alleviate the symptoms, attack the bacteria responsible for cystitis and cause them to be flushed out of the body with urine.  

In case of most cystitis or urethritis infections, you should consult a doctor. Untreated or underestimated cystitis can cause other, much more serious urinary tract infections.

Cranberry bladder tablets

Cranberry bladder tablets are particularly noteworthy. Cranberries are very effective in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by numerous studies. Thanks to the compounds it contains, especially proanthocyanidins, cranberries prevent bacteria from nesting in the urinary tract.

In addition, it lowers the pH of urine and accelerates the excretion of microbes from the urinary tract. It also contains a large amount of vitamin C, which acidifies urine, and an acidic environment is not conducive to the proliferation of bacteria.

Cranberries also contain fibre, B vitamins, vitamin E, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Cranberries are available in tablets, dragees, capsules, powder, juice, syrup, liquid, tea, drops and paste form. All products are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, as well as to support antibiotic therapy. It is worth mentioning that cranberries also have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, prevent stomach and duodenal ulcers, and protect teeth from caries and periodontal disease.

Cranberry tablets - dosage

Cranberry tablets and other preparations should be taken according to the manufacturer's instructions. As a preventive measure, one cranberry tablet is usually taken daily. During urinary tract infections, some manufacturers recommend taking 2-6 tablets per day. Cranberry tablets should be taken before or during a meal.

If you have any questions about dosage, ask your pharmacist for advice. When buying cranberry supplements, it is worth checking how many proanthocyanidins they contain, as the effectiveness of the supplement depends on this amount.

Cranberry tablets for the urinary tract - contraindications

However, cranberry tablets are not recommended for certain conditions. People suffering from kidney stones should not take cranberry tablets because the oxalate contained in cranberries can crystallise in the urinary tract and aggravate the symptoms of the disease.

People taking anticoagulants, especially warfarin, should not use cranberry tablets as they can increase the effect of warfarin, which can lead to haemorrhaging. 

Cranberries are also not recommended for people suffering from osteoporosis, also due to oxalates, which can block the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract. Oxalates can also hinder the absorption of iron, which is why people suffering from anaemia should not consume cranberry preparations in large quantities.

Cystitis under medical supervision!

If you get cystitis, be sure to consult a doctor (e.g. online family doctor at Dimedic). 

The Dimedic.eu online clinic offers consultations with the option of e-prescriptions for appropriate medication that will quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms, and the doctor will certainly recommend effective home remedies to support your therapy!