Powerful Antibiotic For Urinary Tract Infection Hits Market

A powerful antibiotic drug, Vabomere, has just been approved by the U.S.D.A. to treat complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). The antibacterial drug, created by Rempex Pharmaceuticals, can also treat pyelonephritis, a severe kidney infection caused by specific bacteria.

UTI Symptoms

Most UTIs are bladder infections. Symptoms include:

• Pain or burning during urination
• The urge to urinate often
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Urine that is cloudy or foul-smelling

Kidney Infection

An untreated bladder infection can spread to the kidneys. Signs of this include:

• Pain on either side of the lower back
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting

Antibiotic Treatments For UTIs

Prescription antibiotics will almost always cure a UTI. Your health care provider may recommend drinking lots of fluids and emptying your bladder frequently to help flush out the bacteria. Kidney infections can often be treated with oral antibiotics, too. But severe kidney infections may require hospital care, including a course of intravenous antibiotics.

UTI and Diabetes

People with diabetes are more vulnerable to UTIs for several reasons. First, their immune systems tend to be weaker. Second, high blood sugar can spill into the urine and encourage the growth of bacteria. Also, nerve damage related to diabetes can prevent the bladder from fully emptying.

Antibiotic Side Effects

Vabomere side affects include headache, infusion site reactions, and diarrhea.

Antibiotics frequently cause stomach upset such as nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite (anorexia), stomach pain, or heartburn (dyspepsia).