A frequent urge to urinate. A sore lower back or abdomen. A burning sensation while urinating. All are symptoms of a painful infection that can wreak havoc on daily routines, causing women to restrict their activity, miss work or school and even abstain from sex. Pain and suffering associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI) can last up to a week.
A new study called Excellence in Therapeutic Response and Activity (eXtRa) found that more than a third of the women taking Cipro XR (ciprofloxacin extended-release) for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections showed significant signs of improvement within just three hours of taking the antibiotic and half of the women reported symptom improvement within six hours. Additionally, 87 percent reported significant symptom improvement and 22 percent reported complete relief within 24 hours.
"I often associate UTIs with long bouts of pain and discomfort," said Lauren Orrico of Bronx, N.Y., a recurrent UTI sufferer. "My doctor and I work together to make sure I feel better faster and don't lose time from my day-to-day activities."
Study results found that at 48 hours, only 10 percent of patients taking Cipro XR reported losing time at work or in pursuing other activities, compared with more than half who had reported that the infection had interfered with daily activities at the start of the study.
"Effective antibiotic treatment will quickly relieve the symptoms of a UTI and enable women to promptly return to their normal daily schedules," said Dr. Richard Colgan, study investigator and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. "The Cipro XR eXtRa study allowed participants to be easily treated for their infections with a once-daily dosing schedule."
Despite appropriate treatment with an antibiotic, some women are simply more prone to repeated infections.
Urinary tract infections account for more than 8 million doctor visits a year, according to The American Journal of Medicine. UTIs are caused by bacteria in the urinary tract. It is most likely that bacteria enters the urethra through the vagina and makes its way into the bladder.
If you think you might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, talk to your physician. Treatment with Cipro XR may result in certain side effects, which are generally mild, including nausea, diarrhea, headache, dyspepsia, dizziness and yeast infection.
Prescribing information for Cipro XR is available at www.ciproxr.com. - NU |
|
