Health Services

A urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI or cystitis, is a common condition – more than half of Kiwi women will have a UTI at some time in their lives. While UTIs are most common in women, they can also affect men and children.

What causes UTIs? A UTI is usually caused by E coli bacteria getting into the urethra. The bacteria cause inflammation in the lining of your urinary tract and bladder, which can be painful.

UTI symptoms

UTI symptoms may include all or some of the following:

• A strong urge to urinate (pee).

• Pain or a burning sensation when you pee.

• Needing to go the toilet often.

• Passing only small amounts of urine (pee).

• Cloudy urine.

• Pain in your lower tummy and/or pelvic region.

A UTI is not usually a serious health condition, but it can make some people, particularly elderly people, quite unwell.

Antibiotics for UTI treatment

For an uncomplicated UTI, treatment with UTI antibiotics is available without a prescription from one of our knowledgeable pharmacists.

If you are interested in UTI antibiotics, we will need to check that you meet certain criteria before we can supply them. A pharmacist will run through a series of questions to check that your UTI is suitable for treatment at the pharmacy. If you do meet the criteria for pharmacy UTI antibiotics without a prescription, we can supply specific antibiotics in limited quantities. The antibiotics available are nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim.

This service is available for women aged 16 to 65 years old. It is completely confidential and provided discreetly.

If you have any symptoms consistent with a more serious or recurring infection, we cannot provide UTI antibiotics. Instead, we will advise you to see a doctor. A serious or untreated UTI can reach the kidneys, which requires urgent medical attention. The sooner you get treatment, the less likely you are to experience complications or worsening of your symptoms.

While antibiotics are the first treatment for urinary tract infections, self-care strategies can also help you manage a UTI:

• Drink plenty of water – this helps dilute your urine and flush away the bacteria.

• Avoid drinks that tend to irritate the bladder – this includes coffee, alcohol and citrus juices.

• Use a hot water bottle or heating pad – place it on your lower stomach to help alleviate discomfort.

Urinary alkalinizers are also available at Unichem Pharmacies. These may provide some relief from the painful symptoms of a UTI by making your urine less acidic.

Probiotics can support gastrointestinal health, and are sometimes promoted for urinary tract health, too. There is some evidence that they may reduce the recurrence of UTIs in women who are prone to these infections.

Cranberry juice or cranberry tablets are sometimes recommended for preventing or alleviating urinary tract infections. Research hasn’t yet determined whether these are helpful, but you may like to try them.