However, because not all medications work equally well against all bacteria or for all women, you and your doctor may have to experiment, especially if you have recurring infections. Sulfa drugs should not be taken during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy because they can cause jaundice in the newborn. The short-term therapy that is commonly used today is far better than the former standard of 7 to 14 days of antibiotics. Other side effects included diarrhea and allergic reactions. Treatment will be longer and require different or additional drugs if the urine culture shows tougher bacteria than E. coli, such as Staphylococcus, Chlamydia, or Mycoplasma.
Some doctors prefer to prescribe other drugs.
These drugs relax the bladder muscle, reducing the constant urge to urinate. Be sure to do your part to make your treatment work. Finish all prescribed antibiotics, even though your symptoms will probably stop within hours. Painkillers kill pain but not the bacteria that cause them. Remember that UTIs can come back quickly and with a vengeance.