can amoxicillin treat uti

Amoxicillin can be used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), but it is not typically the first choice of antibiotic. It is effective against certain types of bacteria that cause UTIs, especially kidney and bladder infections, but many UTI-causing bacteria have developed resistance to amoxicillin. Because of this resistance, other antibiotics like trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) or nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) are usually preferred as first-line treatments. Amoxicillin is often considered when patients are allergic to these other antibiotics or in cases where it is prescribed early before urine culture results are available. Amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid (Augmentin) can be more effective against resistant bacteria by preventing bacterial enzyme-induced degradation of the antibiotic. Patients prescribed amoxicillin for a UTI generally start to feel symptom relief within a few days but must complete the full course to avoid resistance and ensure eradication of the infection.