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 UTI might help your symptoms, they can’t cure your UTI. Let’s take a look at which UTI medications are available over the counter and how to use them safely.  

Phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine (Azo and Pyridium) is a medication that helps to 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.

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.

Cranberry products

Cranberry products come in many forms, including pills, tablets, juices, and 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. 

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. 

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 speed up recovery when used with antibiotics

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 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 on 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?

No, 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 are 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.

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 may not hurt to try. 

Common home remedies for UTI include:

• Cranberry juice or supplements
• Water
• Vitamin C
• Garlic supplements

If you use any home remedy to treat a UTI, make sure you also take an antibiotic along with it.