Medicines to Treat Pyelonephritis

Definition

Pyelonephritis (o upper urinary tract infection) is an inflammatory process that affects the kidney and the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis (pelvis): the disease, with an acute or chronic course, is very annoying and painful, especially during the passage of urine.

Causes

Infectious agents are the etiological factors most involved in pyelonephritis; bacterial infections, in turn, are closely related to cystitis, prostatitis and urethritis. Among the predisposing factors for pyelonephritis, we remember: stones, diabetes, pregnancy, debilitating pathologies, stagnation of urine, female sex.

Symptoms

Multiple symptoms associated with pyelonephritis: albuminuria, bacteriuria, dysuria, abdominal and lower back pain, pain when urinating (stranguria), fever, nausea, foul-smelling / cloudy urine, septicemia (acute pyelonephritis) and vomiting.

The information on Pyelonephritis - Medicines for the Treatment of Pyelonephritis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Pyelonephritis - Medicines to Treat Pyelonephritis.

Medicines

Most patients with acute pyelonephritis with no signs of septicemia it is generally treated at home with antibiotic drugs; in case of severity, the patient must be hospitalized and treated parenterally with specific drugs.
Antibiotics are the drugs of choice in the treatment of pyelonephritis: in fact, these substances ensure the eradication of the pathogen from the urinary tract. In most cases, the infectious agent is eliminated within 14 days of antibiotic treatment, but the duration of treatment may vary according to the severity of the patient's clinical picture.

Cephalosporins: broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics. These drugs exert their therapeutic activity by inhibiting the synthesis of the cell wall of bacteria:

Cefuroxime (eg. Cefoprim, Tilexim, Zoref, Zinnat): belongs to the class of second generation cephalosporins. It is recommended to take 750 mg to 1.5 g of active ingredient every 8 hours; alternatively, 250-500 mg twice daily for 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the disease.
Cefadroxil (eg. Duricef): first generation cephalosporin, indicated in case of pyelonephritis without complications. Oral administration of 1 gram of drug every 12 hours for 14 days is recommended.
Cefotaxime (eg. Cefotaxime, Aximad, Lirgosin): third generation cephalosporin, generally administered intravenously, particularly active against gram negative. Parenterally administer 1 to 2 g of drug every 8-12 hours. Do not exceed the dose of 2 grams every 4 hours. The therapy should be continued for 14 days.

Quinolones: indicated in case of complications associated with pyelonephritis:

Ciprofloxacin (eg Ciprofloxac, Samper, Ciproxin, Kinox): in case of acute pyelonephritis without complications (septicemia), oral administration of 1 gram of drug every 24 hours, for 7-14 days is recommended. In case of infantile pyelonephritis (patient age 1-18 years) caused by E. Coli, IV administration is recommended. of 6-10 mg of drug per pound of body weight every 8 hours for 10-21 days. Do not exceed 400 mg total per day. It is possible to administer the drug orally: 10-20 mg / kg every 12 hours for 10-21 days. Do not exceed the maximum dose of 750 mg / day. Ciprofloxacin gives unpleasant side effects: for this reason, it is not a first choice drug for the treatment of pyelonephritis.
Levofloxacin (eg Levofloxacin, Levixiran, Aranda): it is recommended to administer 250 mg of the drug orally or intravenously for 10 days; alternatively, take 750 mg of active ingredient every 24 hours for 5 days.

Carbapenems: another class of antibiotics useful for the treatment of pyelonephritis

Doripenem (eg. Doribax): it is recommended to take 500 mg iv every 8 hours. The administration of the drug by parenteral route, for a period of 10-14 days, can be converted into oral therapy after the first 3 days ( for iv), maintaining the same posology.

Sulfonamide antibiotics

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (eg Bactrim): administer 160-800 mg of active ingredient orally every 12 hours, for a period ranging from 7 to 14 days, as established by the doctor.

Gentamicin (eg Gentamicin, Ciclozinil, Genbrix, Gentalyn): amiglycoside antibiotic. Begin therapy for pyelonephritis by administering intravenously. 2 mg / kg, followed by 1.7 mg / kg every 8 hours (or 5 mg / kg i.v. every 24 hours). Therapy should be continued for 7-14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the pyelonephritic infection.