What antibiotics to take for kidney infection? Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic used to treat kidney infections. Learn how and when to take amoxicillin, who can and can’t take it, and common side effects.

Overview: Kidney Infections and Amoxicillin

A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the upper urinary tract, including the kidneys. These infections typically result from bacteria or viruses infecting the lower urinary tract and then traveling to the kidneys. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can lead to serious health problems, including permanent kidney damage and, in severe cases, sepsis.

One of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating kidney infections is amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is an effective antibiotic that can help eliminate the infection and prevent complications. But how exactly does amoxicillin work for a kidney infection, and who can and can’t take it? Let’s explore the details.

What is Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-based antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria. It works by interfering with the bacteria’s cell wall formation, causing the cells to die or preventing them from multiplying. Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat various bacterial infections, including respiratory infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections like kidney infections.

How and When to Take Amoxicillin for a Kidney Infection

When prescribed for a kidney infection, amoxicillin is typically taken orally, either as a tablet or liquid suspension. The dosage and duration of treatment will depend on the severity of the infection and your individual health factors, but a common regimen is 500 mg taken every 8 hours for 7-14 days.

It’s important to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before the treatment is complete. Stopping the medication too soon can allow the infection to return or lead to antibiotic resistance.

Who Can and Can’t Take Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is generally safe for most people, but there are some exceptions. People with a penicillin allergy should not take amoxicillin, as it can cause a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction. Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease, may also need to avoid amoxicillin or require a modified dosage.

It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, allergies, or other medications you are taking before starting amoxicillin treatment.

Common Side Effects of Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is generally well-tolerated, but like any medication, it can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of amoxicillin include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Headache
• Dizziness

Most side effects are mild and go away on their own as the body adjusts to the medication. However, if you experience severe or persistent side effects, be sure to inform your healthcare provider.

How Fast Does Amoxicillin Work for a Kidney Infection?

Amoxicillin typically begins working relatively quickly to help clear up a kidney infection. Many people start feeling relief from their symptoms within a few days of starting the antibiotic treatment. However, it’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you feel better, to ensure the infection is fully cleared and doesn’t return.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may switch to a different antibiotic if the initial amoxicillin treatment is not effectively treating the specific bacteria causing the infection. Regular follow-up tests may be needed to confirm the infection has been cleared.

The Lowdown on Amoxicillin for Kidney Infections

Amoxicillin is a common and effective antibiotic used to treat kidney infections. When taken as prescribed, it can help eliminate the infection and prevent serious complications. However, it’s crucial to complete the full course of treatment and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure the best possible outcome. Remember to inform your provider of any allergies or medical conditions before starting amoxicillin, and don’t hesitate to report any concerning side effects.

Treatment for Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)

How do health care professionals treat kidney infections?

If you have a kidney infection, a health care professional will prescribe antibiotics. Even before your test results are in, the health care professional may prescribe an antibiotic that fights the most common types of bacteria. Although you may feel relief from your symptoms, make sure to take the entire antibiotic treatment that your health care professional prescribes.

Once your lab results are in, the health care professional may switch the antibiotic to one that better treats the type of infection you have. You may take these antibiotics by mouth, through a vein in your arm, called by IV, or both.

If you are very sick from your kidney infection, you may go to a hospital for bed rest. A health care professional may give you fluids through an IV.

If something such as a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate is blocking your urinary tract, a doctor can sometimes treat the problem with surgery or another procedure.

If you think you have a kidney infection, see a health
care professional right away.

How can I make sure my kidney infection is completely gone?

If you recently had a kidney infection, the health care professional will often repeat urine cultures after your treatment ends to make sure your infection has completely gone away and has not come back. If a repeat test shows infection, you may take another round of antibiotics. If your infection comes back again, he or she may prescribe antibiotics for a longer time period.

If your health care professional prescribes antibiotics, take all of the antibiotics as prescribed and follow the advice of the health care professional. Even if you start to feel better, you should finish all of your medicine.

How can I prevent a kidney infection?

Many kidney infections start as a bladder infection, so preventing bladder infections may help prevent kidney infections. Scientists are still trying to understand the best ways to prevent bladder infections, but these small changes in your daily habits may help:

Drink lots of liquid, especially water

Liquids can help flush bacteria from the urinary system. Water is best. Most healthy people should try to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day. If you need to drink less water because of other health conditions, such as bladder control problems, kidney failure or heart disease, ask your health care provider how much liquid is healthy for you.

Wipe from front to back after using the toilet

Women should wipe from front to back to keep bacteria from getting into the urethra. This step is most important after a bowel movement.

Urinate often and when the urge arises

Try to urinate at least every 3 to 4 hours. Bacteria are more likely to grow in the bladder when urine stays in the bladder too long.

Urinate after sex

Both women and men should urinate shortly after sex to flush away bacteria that may have entered the urethra during sex.

Amoxicillin For Kidney Infection

Content

• Overview
• What is a kidney infection?
• Common symptoms of a kidney infection
• What is amoxicillin?
• How and when to take amoxicillin
• Who can and can’t take amoxicillin?
• Common side effects of amoxicillin
• How fast does amoxicillin work for a kidney infection?
• The lowdown

Like a bladder infection, a kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection known as a UTI. Kidney infections typically result from bacteria or viruses infecting your lower urinary tract. The infection then travels to the upper urinary tract and infects one or both of your kidneys.

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Your body has natural defenses to fight infections and defend against UTIs and kidney infections. Your immune system works to find and attack infection-causing germs and bacteria that invade the body. In addition, urine normally flows through your urinary tract in one direction.

The flow of urine from your kidneys to your bladder helps flush viruses or bacteria from your urinary tract before they can reach the kidneys and cause an infection.

Sometimes, your body’s natural defense mechanisms fail, and bacteria or viruses cause a UTI that leads to a bladder or kidney infection. In some cases, a kidney infection can occur after surgery. Infections from surgical procedures happen when bacteria enter your body during the procedure, enter your bloodstream, and travel to your kidneys.

Kidney infections can be very painful and lead to serious health problems. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can cause permanent damage, and if the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can lead to a dangerous infection.

Your kidneys are vital to your overall health. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood every minute and removing waste from your body. They also remove excess fluids which exit the body as urine and help to maintain a healthy balance of water, salt, and minerals in your body.

Neglecting the early warning signs of a kidney infection or other kidney problem can have severe consequences. Detecting the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection is simple yet crucial. Symptoms may vary, depending on your age, and commonly include:

• abdomen, back, groin, or side pain

• Chills

• Fever

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• frequent painful urination

• dark, cloudy, or bad-smelling urine

Kidney infections can sometimes lead to high blood pressure, kidney failure, or chronic kidney disease. You are at a greater risk of developing a kidney infection if you have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney failure. However, complications are rare if the condition is appropriately treated with antibiotics.

Older adults who get a kidney infection may have none of the typical symptoms but exhibit problems with thinking, such as confusion, hallucinations, or jumbled speech.

Amoxicillin is one of the most common antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections. The drug kills bacteria by preventing cell wall formation, which keeps them from growing.

Amoxicillin is an amino-penicillin created by adding an extra amino group to penicillin to help battle antibiotic resistance. Amoxicillin treats many bacterial infections, including tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.

A healthcare professional will prescribe antibiotics if diagnosed with a kidney infection. They may even start a round of antibiotics that fight the most common bacterial infections before your test results are complete.

While they may provide relief quickly, it’s vital to take the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, or the infection may return. Once your lab tests are complete, your doctor may switch to an antibiotic that specifically treats your type of infection. If your kidney infection is severe, your doctor may require hospitalization.

Amoxicillin is an oral medication available in immediate-release and extended-release tablets. It is also available in chewable tablets and liquid oral suspension. When taken as a suspension, amoxicillin can be mixed with formula, water, juice, and other cold drinks and taken immediately after mixing.

Amoxicillin tablets can be taken with or without food, and extended-release tablets should not be crushed.

In adults, the typical amoxicillin dosage is 750–1750mg daily, divided into three doses and taken every 8–12 hours. Amoxicillin is sometimes prescribed to children over three months of age at 20 to 45mg daily for every kg of body weight, divided into three doses.

Like other antibiotics, it’s essential to use amoxicillin correctly to get the most effective treatment when you’re sick and protect yourself from antibiotic resistance caused by unnecessary antibiotic usage.

While amoxicillin is safe for most adults and children, the antibiotic is not appropriate for everyone. In deciding to prescribe a medicine, your doctor must weigh the risks associated with you taking it versus the good it will do.

Let your doctor know if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to amoxicillin, penicillin, or other medicine. It’s also important to inform your doctor if you have any other allergies, such as foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Other medical conditions may also affect the effectiveness of amoxicillin. For example, if you have severe renal impairment, the effects of amoxicillin may be increased because the medicine stays in the body longer. You should also avoid this antibiotic if you have a viral infection such as mononucleosis.

Also, people with phenylketonuria, also known as PKU, should avoid taking the chewable tablet. Phenylketonuria is a rare disorder that causes a buildup of an amino acid called phenylalanine. While not part of other formulations, phenylalanine is contained in the chewable tablet and can worsen this condition.

You should also ensure your healthcare professional is aware of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you currently take. In some cases, an interaction between your regular medications and amoxicillin can have serious health consequences.

While some medications should not be taken together, in some instances, two medicines may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. For example, clavulanate potassium is often combined with amoxicillin to help prevent certain bacteria from becoming resistant to amoxicillin.

Your doctor may take certain precautions in these cases as the interaction may reduce the effectiveness of either medication or cause unwanted side effects. For example, if amoxicillin is taken with a drug known to cause an interaction, your doctor may change the dose or how frequently you take one or both medicines.

Although it can be highly effective in treating bacterial infections, like many other drugs, amoxicillin also has a list of potential side effects. However, these side effects are generally mild, with the most common complaints being gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In rare cases, people prescribed amoxicillin exhibit more severe side effects, including anaphylaxis, skin rash, bleeding, or seizures. If you have any of these symptoms, you must consult with your doctor or another healthcare professional immediately.

Additionally, if you experience severe reactions such as skin rashes or seizures, you stop taking amoxicillin immediately and call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment immediately.

Doctors usually prescribe 750–1750mg of amoxicillin daily, to be taken two or three times a day or every 12 or eight hours with or without food. The duration of treatment is typically five to ten days, but how long your treatment lasts depends on the type of infection you have.

You should take amoxicillin precisely as directed on your prescription label at about the same time every day. Take the exact dosage as prescribed and ask your doctor if there is anything about the directions you don’t understand.

Unless your doctor says otherwise, you can usually continue your regular diet while taking amoxicillin. Typically you will start to feel better after the first few days of treatment with amoxicillin. However, if your symptoms don’t improve after a few days or they get worse, contact your doctor. 

Even though your symptoms may improve in a few days, it’s critical not to miss doses or stop taking the medication. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next dose. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a missed one; instead, return to your regular dosing.

If you don’t complete the entire course of treatment as directed, amoxicillin may not fully treat your infection. Additionally, the bacteria causing it may become resistant to antibiotics.

Kidney infections are a relatively common issue responsible for most hospital visits for UTIs in the United States. Most kidney infections start as a urinary tract infection that moves upstream to infect one or both of your kidneys. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of a UTI or kidney infection.

Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic often combined with other medications to treat a kidney infection. Your doctor’s diagnosis of your kidney infection will determine the appropriate type and length of treatment. An antibiotic such as amoxicillin is the first line of treatment for most kidney infections.

Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis is inflammation of the tissue of the kidney.

Without appropriate studies, the diagnosis of pyelonephritis is almost impossible to make. For diagnosis, first of all, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound of the kidneys, pass a general urinalysis, a general blood test, a bakposev for the nutritional value of the medium. For the best diagnosis, it is necessary to make an x-ray of the kidneys, a urine test according to Nechiporenko and Zimnitsky, and a biochemical blood test.

Treatment of pyelonephritis includes a whole range of measures to eliminate it for each individual patient.

For competent and effective treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. In acute pyelonephritis, treatment must be carried out in a hospital.

Mandatory antibiotic therapy (antibiotics are prescribed). They use broad-spectrum antibiotics that do not have nephrotoxicity: ampicillins (Augmentin), cephalosporins (Cephalexin), fluoroquinolones (Ofloxacin, Abaktal, Nolicin, Ciprobay).

Antimicrobial therapy is needed. For this, nitrofurans (Furamag, Furagin) are prescribed.

In parallel, it is necessary to take drugs, which include medicinal plant materials. For example Canephron N, Cyston, Phytolysin, urological preparations give a good diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effect.

If indicated, the treatment of pyelonephritis is supplemented with antispasmodics (Papaverine, Urolesan), anticoagulants (Heparin), antiplatelet agents (Pentoxifylline, Trental).

Remember that for each specific case, the doctor individually prescribes medications, dosage, course of treatment.

It is necessary to exclude hypothermia.

It is also important to follow a diet for pyelonephritis. It is necessary to exclude salty, spicy, spices, smoked, coffee, fatty meat, alcohol. Give preference to vegetables and fruits (watermelons, zucchini), eat cereals and dairy products.

To prevent relapses in chronic pyelonephritis, it is necessary to take herbal infusions every 7-10 days of the month that have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effects (bearberry, lingonberry, horsetail, highlander, birch buds, hop cones, kidney tea, etc.). Take mineral water, preferably with the lowest salt content. Well suited Essentuki.

Dietary supplements improve the functional state of the kidneys, reduce the number of relapses, reduce the risk of canine: Prolit super, Cystotransit, Nefrosten. In chronic pyelonephritis, their use is mandatory at least 2 times a year.

Spa treatment is indicated at least once a year (Obukhov, Mineralnye Vody, Karlovy Vary, Zheleznovodsk), where you can simultaneously undergo an appropriate examination.

The material is informational. Medicinal products, biologically active supplements and other products are indicated as an example of their possible use and / or application, which in no way constitutes a recommendation for their use. Before using drugs, dietary supplements and medical equipment and other products, be sure to consult a specialist.

Antibiotics for kidney disease: use and effects

Contents

• General rules for the use of antibiotics for kidney infections
• Fluoroquinolones
• Cephalosporins for the treatment of kidneys
• Penicillins
• Which kidney disease requires antibiotics

B In the practice of treating inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, antimicrobials are very often included in complex treatment. Antibiotics for kidney disease help eliminate the bacterial infection that caused the inflammatory process in the kidneys. The appointment of such drugs is within the competence of the nephrologist.

All inflammatory diseases of the kidneys are grouped under one name – nephritis. These include pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, which are the most common renal pathologies requiring antibiotic therapy. The causative agents of these diseases are Escherichia or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, streptococci and staphylococci, enterococci, hemolytic streptococcus.

General rules for the use of antibiotics for kidney infections

Since the main treatment for inflammatory kidney disease is taking antibacterial drugs, their effectiveness depends on how well the drug was chosen. This implies the minimum toxic and side effects of the drug. The drug should be selected so that it does not have a damaging effect on the tissues of the kidneys, since additional stress can lead to kidney failure.

Important! It is necessary to observe the dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment. If you ignore these rules, then with a high degree of probability the patient will develop resistance to the drug used. As a result, the disease will become chronic or stronger antibiotics will have to be used to achieve a therapeutic effect.

As a precautionary measure, an allergy test is recommended before using any drug. This is necessary to prevent an undesirable reaction from the body, which can sometimes be life-threatening. The restriction applies mainly to the injection form of drug administration.

The duration of antibiotic use for pyelonephritis and other inflammatory diseases of the kidneys is on average about 2 weeks. If there is no positive dynamics, you need to change the medicine. If it is not possible to conduct a sensitivity test, then broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Do not confuse bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs. The first are necessary for the complete removal of pathogens from the kidneys. Bacteriostatic drugs can only slow down the development of infection.

Attention! Most experts agree that the most appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of kidney disease are semi-synthetic combination drugs. The choice of a particular drug is determined by the attending physician on an individual basis.

Sulfonamides have a different effect than antibiotics. Their action is bacteriostatic, that is, they temporarily suppress the reproduction of pathogens. They do not destroy pathogenic microorganisms that cause pyelonephritis, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterococci and anaerobic bacteria, affecting only some gram-positive and gram-negative cocci. They are more often prescribed for exacerbation of chronic infections. The most popular drugs in this group include Urosulfan and Biseptol.

Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. These are synthetic preparations containing a fluorine molecule. They are used to treat diseases characterized by damage to the kidney tissue.

The indisputable advantage of this group of antibacterial agents is that many types of pathogenic bacteria are sensitive to them. The result of their intake is a decrease in the activity and loss of viability of pathogenic cells.

Oral fluoroquinolones used in the treatment of kidney disease include:

• Levofloxacin;
• Ofloxacin;
• Levofloxacin;
• Norfloxacin;
• Ciprofloxacin;
• Pefloxacin.

Ofloxacin and Pefloxacin in pyelonephritis are active against almost all pathogens. Levofloxacin and Norfloxacin mainly act on Gram-positive bacteria.

These medicines can give a pronounced therapeutic effect in kidney diseases, when taking other medicines has not led to an improvement in the patient’s well-being. Fluoroquinolones are used in severe diseases, they have high permeability in the tissues of the genitourinary system and a high post-antibiotic effect. They can be taken simultaneously with other antibiotics (with macrolides or penicillins). Medicines of this group are well tolerated by patients.

Fluoroquinolones are not prescribed for the treatment of women during pregnancy and lactation, as they overcome the placental barrier, penetrate into breast milk. Preparations of this group are not prescribed to children under 18 years of age, since a negative effect on cartilage tissue has been identified.

Cephalosporins for the treatment of kidney disease

Antibiotics belonging to the category of cephalosporins have high efficacy and low toxicity, therefore they are actively used to treat kidney diseases. The mechanism of their action is based on disruption of the formation of the bacterial cell wall. Cephalosporins are able to accumulate in the tissues of the kidneys and urine, they are well tolerated by patients.

The drugs in this group are classified as follows:

1. 1st generation: Cefalexin, Cefazolin, Cifradin. They affect gram-positive bacteria and are used exclusively at the acute stage of the disease.
2. 2nd generation: Cefuroxime, Zinnat. They have a wide spectrum of action and are prescribed for outpatient treatment of inflammation of the kidneys, which proceeds without complications. They are active against Escherichia coli and enterobacteria.
3. 3rd generation: Ceftazidime, Claforan, Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone. They are prescribed for complicated infectious diseases of the kidneys.
4. 4th generation: Cefepim. Due to its broad action, it is active against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It is prescribed for both complicated and uncomplicated infections.

The use of cephalosporins, in particular, Cefalexin, in the acute course of pyelonephritis prevents the transition of the disease to a purulent stage.

Renal insufficiency slows down the rate of elimination of drugs, so the appointment of antibiotics in this case is carried out with caution. If it is necessary to use them, preference is given to antibiotics of the cephalosporin or penicillin series, provided that the dosage is reduced.

Preparations of the penicillin group

Antibacterial preparations from the penicillin category are characterized by an effective effect on microorganisms that cause pyelonephritis. In most cases, these are Escherichia coli and enterococci. There are natural and semi-synthetic penicillin antibiotics, with a pronounced bactericidal effect. Within a few days after taking the patient’s health improves. The duration of their treatment is about 1 week. This time is enough to sanitize the infection in the kidneys.

Due to active absorption and distribution in tissues and body fluids, penicillin antibiotics act quickly. These drugs have reduced toxicity compared to other antibacterial drugs. But their disadvantage is the high level of allergic reactions, both immediate and delayed.

The most commonly prescribed are semi-synthetic drugs such as Flemoxin Solutab, Amoxiclav or Ampicillin. Medicines of the penicillin group have minimal side effects, so they are actively used to treat children and women during pregnancy.

Which kidney diseases require the use of antibiotics

Among the many pathologies of the kidneys, inflammatory diseases of this organ occupy a special place. The most common of these are paranephritis, pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis. Their treatment is not complete without the use of antibiotics.

Paranephritis is characterized by the development of a purulent process in the perirenal tissue. This disease is accompanied by symptoms such as fever up to 38 degrees, chills and severe pain in the lumbar region. The lack of adequate treatment will lead to the outflow of the abscess into the sterile abdominal cavity. Pyelonephritis is a bacterial inflammation of the renal tubules, and glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the renal glomeruli. Diseases are bacterial in origin.

If pyelonephritis and other kidney diseases are caused by E.