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Read time: 8 min
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Posted on:
Read time: 8 min
Posted on:
Yes and no, ibuprofen (Advil) can help alleviate some symptoms and the pain and discomfort caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs) but it does not treat the underlying bacterial infection. The only way to effectively treat a UTI is with antibiotics.
Key Takeaways
Continue reading to learn more about how ibuprofen can help with UTIs and what other treatment options are available.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, which can cause symptoms such as pain or burning during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, and a strong urge to urinate. While UTIs are more common in women than men, anyone can get one.
There are a number of over-the-counter medications that can help to treat the symptoms of a UTI, but there is some confusion over using ibuprofen with some studies suggesting it is a good option for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, while others point out that masking the symptoms with ibuprofen without getting the necessary antibiotics can lead to delays in curing then infection and increase risk of more serious infection.
The question of whether taking OTC medicine like Advil (ibuprofen) can help with a UTI is a complicated one. Indeed, some peer-reviewed studies argue that it can be helpful because it can help manage symptoms while the infection resolves itself on its own.
However, other researchers concluded that Ibuprofen treatment leads to a longer duration of symptoms, a higher symptom burden, and an increased risk of complications including kidney infections.
The study completed by Vik et al (2018), and published in PLoS Medicine argues that Ibuprofen alone should not be used in the treatment of simple UTIs. This randomized Scandinavian study found that by the fourth day, the antibiotic option pivmecillinam outperformed ibuprofen by 35%.
Additionally, women in the ibuprofen group suffered symptoms of their UTI for twice as long as those in the pivmecillinam and demonstrated a higher symptom burden. It is also crucial to note that Vik et al (2018), found that 47% of women treated in the ibuprofen group needed at least one secondary antibiotic treatment, which was much higher than that of the antibiotic group.
Finally, seven women treated in the ibuprofen group developed a kidney infection and five of these had to be sent to the hospital for it, whereas none of the antibiotic group got a kidney infection, which demonstrates a particular risk of worsened consequences of ibuprofen treatment.
There is some evidence that ibuprofen can be used to treat UTI discomfort and symptomatic relief. For instance. Gágyor I, Bleidorn J, Kochen MM, et al. (2015) found that ibuprofen was effective for two-thirds of women when treating an uncomplicated UTI, as the condition is self-limiting.
Their clinical research, conducted in Germany compared a sample size of 241 patients given doses of 3x400mg of ibuprofen across three days, to a sample of 234 patients given 3g of fosfomycin.
They found that 2/3 of the women given ibuprofen recovered without the need for antibiotics. While the women who did require antibiotics after their initial treatment with ibuprofen only needed a total of 94 courses of antibiotic treatment, which was a marked reduction compared to offering antibiotic treatment to all.
This leads them to recommend ibuprofen as a treatment for uncomplicated UTIs with mild to moderate symptoms or to be used with a delayed prescription.
There are a few other over-the-counter (OTC) medications that have been studied for their ability to help with UTI pain and discomfort. These include:
If you are considering taking any of these medications to relieve UTI pain, it is important to speak with your healthcare professionals first to ensure that they are safe for you to take.
There are a few things that you can do to help treat a UTI. These include:
If you are suffering from severe UTI symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare professional. They will be able to prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection.
If you suspect you may have a UTI or are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider:
If you are unsure whether or not your symptoms are caused by a UTI, it is always better to err on the side of caution and see a healthcare professional. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate UTI treatment
If you are suffering from a UTI, the DrHouse app can help you get the treatment you need. With our telehealth app, you can:
With DrHouse, you can see an online doctor 24-7 whenever you need it. We can help you get the treatment you need to feel better fast.
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Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.
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