An alternative to antibiotic therapy? Ibuprofen is found to be effective against certain cases of urinary tract infections without the use of antibiotics.
Urinary Infection
Bacterial infection of urinary bladder can cause pain and burning sensation while passing urine. Abnormal Vesico-ureteric reflex, due to which the urine goes back to the kidneys from the bladder is also known to cause infection.
Bacterial infection of urinary bladder can cause pain and burning sensation while passing urine. Abnormal Vesico-ureteric reflex, due to which the urine goes back to the kidneys from the bladder is also known to cause infection.
‘Sixty seven percent of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections were successfully treated with ibuprofen.’
Harm Associated with Overuse of Antibiotics 1. Antibiotic Resistance - The indiscriminate use of antibiotics results in bacteria becoming resistant to these antibiotics. These antibiotic-resistant strains are very hard to treat and are threatening to affect medical treatment procedures.
2. Affect Normal Microflora of the gut - The human gut consists of microflora which are important for digesting complex food. These commensals are often lost after antibiotic therapy as these microbes are also affected. The absence of these microbes can lead to
Quiz on Antibiotics
Your doctor may suggest antibiotics at the first sight of an infection, but how much do you really know about these wonder drugs? Test yourself.
Your doctor may suggest antibiotics at the first sight of an infection, but how much do you really know about these wonder drugs? Test yourself.
b) Poor Digestion - The natural microflora aid in digestion and their absence can lead to loose stools and feelings of nausea.
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New Research Could Help to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers from the University of Southampton identified four clear stages to the development of a crystalline biofilm, which leads to encrustations.
Researchers from the University of Southampton identified four clear stages to the development of a crystalline biofilm, which leads to encrustations.
The increase in antibiotic resistance and use of antibiotics is due to
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b) Failure to Complete the Course of Treatment - As soon as symptoms subside, patients forgo the full drug therapy with a relapse resulting in additional drug therapy. This increases exposure to antibiotics for the individual as well as for the environment.
c) Use Of Leftover Antibiotics - Some people tend to use left over antibiotics for any other common infections that may arise a few months after receiving treatment for a major illness. This could further increase exposure to antibiotics.
The harm associated with increased antibiotic use requires a better alternative to treating infections. Nearly 25% of antibiotics prescribed in general practice are due to urinary tract infections as this is a common infection found among women. The causes for the infection range from
a) Diet
b) Insufficient of intake of water
c) Acidity
d) Prolonged period of controlling the passing of urine. Women tend to avoid the use of common restrooms fearing infection, cleanliness and safety. This can increase risk for UTI
e) Infected toilet seats, toilet paper
f) Sexual contact with an infected person
The use of ibuprofen in the treatment of urinary tract infection is thus a remarkable study that explores other avenues of treatment for this common infection.
Pilot Study:
Lldiko gagyor and colleagues first performed a pilot study titled “Symptomatic treatment(ibuprofen) or antibiotics (ciprofloxacin) for uncomplicated urinary tract infection? - Results of a randomized controlled pilot trial” published in Biomed Central in 2010.
About the Study: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections were treated using antibiotics, this study aimed at
i) Studying the effect of ibuprofen on women with uncomplicated UTI
ii) The efficacy of conducting a randomized trial with a larger study population
The Results of the Study:
80 women with UTI were the study population
i) On day 4- 58.3% of patients on ibuprofen were symptom-free when compared with 51.5% in the ciprofloxacin group
ii) On day 4- Ibuprofen patients showed lesser symptoms than ciprofloxacin patients
iii) 33% of patients on ibuprofen and 18% of ciprofloxacin patients required secondary antibiotic treatment due to aggravated symptoms
iv) 32 ibuprofen patients and 28 ciprofloxacin patients displayed non-serious events.
The Randomized Control Study:
These promising results led to a complete randomized controlled trial by these scientists. The symptoms that were scored during the study included
i) Frequency/ urgency for urination
ii) Dysuria
iii) Pain
The Results of the Study:
241 women were included in the Ibuprofen group while 243 were included in the Fosfomycin group(antibiotic)
a) 67% (two thirds) of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection were relieved of symptoms with Ibuprofen and without antibiotic treatment.
b) 34% of ibuprofen patients required antibiotic therapy after 28 days
c) 14% of Fosfomycin patients required antibiotic therapy after 28 days
d) Both groups allowed low level of non serious adverse effects
From this study, it is evident that ibuprofen can be considered as an effective alternate treatment to antibiotic use. However, Ibuprofen use should be considered with caution and for women who
a) Were willing to accept the risk of an increased burden of symptoms
b) Were willing to delay/avoid the use of antibiotics
Patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections who were on ibuprofen treatment were at a higher risk for pyelonephritis.
The increased promise exhibited by the use of ibuprofen in the treatment of uncomplicated UTI paves the way for an alternate method of treatment. 67% of patients on ibuprofen were successfully treated without antibiotic use and further analysis found that women with mild to moderate uncomplicated urinary tract infections displayed maximum benefit from the treatment, prompting their use among patients with comparable severity of symptoms.
Another startling study conducted on the use of ibuprofen by Obad and colleagues shows that Ibuprofen has an additional antimicrobial effect on E.coli.
The vast benefits of using Ibuprofen shows promise in its use in the treatment of mild to moderate uncomplicated urinary tract infection among women, with further studies and trials required to support the existing evidence. Though there have been herbal formulations which are stated to treat UTI without the use of antibiotics, the use of Ibuprofen, which is a commonly used anti inflammatory drug, are reassuring steps away from antibiotic use in common infections.
References
1.http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h65442.http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720?pg=2
3.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890534/
Source-Medindia
