Uncomplicated UTI in Adult Non-Pregnant Females

Scope of this Guidance

This guidance refers to uncomplicated urinary tract infections in adult non-pregnant females under 65 years. It does not apply to pregnant patients, male patients, patients with a catheter in-situ or acute pyelonephritis.

For information on these sub-groups, please see the following webpages.

Comments from Expert Advisory Group

Empirical antibiotic choice should be tailored based on previous results (if available).
Offer advice on hydration and pain relief (paracetamol and/ or ibuprofen if suitable)
Consider delayed antibiotic prescription for use if symptoms worsen or do not improve over 48 hours.
Refer to the national Position Statements Dipstick Urinalysis for UTIs in Adults for guidance for guidance on the role of dipstick urinalysis for assessment of UTI.
Send MSU if failing to respond to treatment (i.e. after 48 hours of first line treatment) or if recent antimicrobial therapy as risk of antimicrobial resistance may be higher.
Consider Sexually Transmitted Infections, particularly in young people presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Treatment

Choice of empirical therapy should be governed by local resistance rates where available. Patterns can vary substantially across the country.

UNCOMPLICATED UTI IN ADULT NON-PREGNANT FEMALES EMPIRIC TREATMENT TABLE (i.e.no fever / flank pain)
Drug	Dose	Duration	Notes
1st Choice Options
Nitrofurantoin Immediate Release Capsules	50 mg every 6 hours	3 days*	*If history of recurrent infection or inadequate treatment response, consider extending treatment to 5 days. Nitrofurantoin is NOT a suitable antibiotic choice for Upper UTI. Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated in patients with eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m². Immediate/ Prolonged Release should be stated on the prescription (see note below on formulation difference).
OR
Nitrofurantoin Prolonged Release Capsules	100 mg every 12 hours	3 days*
Alternative 1st Choice Options (if nitrofurantoin unsuitable)
Cefalexin	500 mg every 12 hours	3 days	Cephalosporins should not be used in severe penicillin allergy
OR
Trimethoprim	200 mg every 12 hours	3 days	Use only when risk of resistance is low i.e. where previous culture suggests susceptibility (and trimethoprim was not used) or in younger patients without a significant antibiotic exposure history. Risk of resistance is more likely in older people in residential facilities.
2nd Choice or alternative if recent resistance/ 1st choice agents unsuitable
Fosfomycin	3 g	Single dose	Should ideally be taken at night, on an empty stomach, and empty bladder to maximise absorption and effectiveness

Some considerations for antibiotic choice:

Nitrofurantoin is the preferred first choice if it is not contra-indicated. Nitrofurantoin resistance rates remain low in community E.coli UTIs throughout Ireland (including in ESBL-producing isolates) despite increasing resistance to other antibiotics.

Nitrofurantoin precautions

Tissue concentrations are too low for treatment of systemic infection, including pyelonephritis. It is only suitable for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection and in lower CA-UTI where the patient is systemically well.
Nitrofurantoin should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (CKD Stage 4/5, eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m², Creatinine Clearance <30 mL/min) because of diminished urinary tract concentrations and increased risk of toxicity. Nitrofurantoin may be used with caution (as short-course therapy only) if there is a lesser degree of renal impairment (eGFR greater than 30 mL/min/1.73m²) to treat suspected or proven resistant pathogens, when the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks. In frail elderly patients with poor fluid intake and an infection, creatinine levels may deteriorate quickly so if a patient is dehydrated then established renal impairment may be further compromised.
Two nitrofurantoin formulations are available: nitrofurantoin immediate release capsules (Macrodantin^®) and nitrofurantoin prolonged release capsules (MacroBid^®). For the treatment of infection the prolonged release MacroBid^®capsules are dosed twice daily whilst the standard Macrodantin^®capsules are dosed four times daily. As ADVANZ PHARMA is the sole supplier of these products in Ireland, a stock management plan has been introduced to ensure patients in Ireland have access to these important medicines. Should any customer have difficulty in getting supply, ADVANZ PHARMA have advised pharmacists to contact their customer service line on +353 15294230 to allow them to assist in meeting patients’ needs.

There is data to indicate that the rate of trimethoprim resistance in E.Coli in community urinary samples is high in particular in older people in residential care facilities. Empiric trimethoprim is therefore no longer recommended except where nitrofurantoin is unsuitable and the risk of resistance is low (e.g. where a previous urine culture has had a trimethoprim-susceptible isolate and trimethoprim has not been used, or in a young patient without a significant antibiotic exposure history).

Fosfomycin is suggested for use as a second-line agent e.g. for patients with symptoms not resolving on first-line agents. Many multi-resistant community UTI isolates (including ESBL-producing E. coli) remain susceptible to fosfomycin. To preserve the efficacy of this drug, its use should be limited to second-line treatment. Urine cultures should be sent prior to starting Fosfomycin treatment. Fosfomycin is not recommended in patients with creatinine clearance <10 mL/min.

Amoxicillin is not recommended as empiric therapy, as resistance rates in community E. coli UTIs are extremely high. Only use if amoxicillin susceptibility known.

Co-amoxiclav resistance in E. coli in community urine samples is high. In addition, it is a systemic agent and should be avoided in uncomplicated cystitis if a locally acting agent (e.g. nitrofurantoin) could be used instead.

Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, associated with C. difficile infection and multiple adverse effects. It is not recommended for the empiric treatment of uncomplicated cystitis. It may be considered for targeted therapy of multi-resistant infections, where there are no other appropriate options.

Patient Information

HSE A-Z Conditions: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Safe Prescribing (visit the safe prescribing page)

Doses are oral and for adults unless otherwise stated
Dosing in children quick reference dosage/weight guide
Penicillin allergy – tips on prescribing in penicillin allergy
Renal impairment dosing table
Safety in Pregnancy and Lactation
Drug interactions table. Extensive drug interactions for clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals and rifampicin. Many antibiotics increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants.

Visit the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website for detailed drug information (summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflets). Dosing details, contraindications and drug interactions can also be found in the Irish Medicines Formulary (IMF) or other reference sources such as British National Formulary (BNF) / BNF for children (BNFC).

Reviewed July 2023, minor edit Sept 2025