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What Are the Different Types of Prostatitis Antibiotics?

Bobbie Fredericks
Bobbie Fredericks

There are many different prostatitis antibiotics, including pills and intravenous drugs. The one prescribed depends on several factors, including the health and allergies of the patient as well as the severity of symptoms. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which is usually caused by infection. It can be either chronic, with recurring symptoms over a period of months, or acute, with rapid onset symptoms.

Since the urethra travels through the prostate, any swelling results in difficulty urinating. Urination may also be painful. Other symptoms include pain in the abdomen or lower back, painful orgasms, and flu-like symptoms.

Because oral antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.
Because oral antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.

The most common prostatitis antibiotic for acute prostatitis is ciprofloxacin, given in a dose of 500 milligrams twice daily for 28 days. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class. Patients who have had an allergic or adverse reaction to another fluoroquinolone should not take ciprofloxiacin. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. This antibiotic increases the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, which may occur up to several months after treatment has ended.

Prostatitis is caused by the inflammation of the prostate.
Prostatitis is caused by the inflammation of the prostate.

Ofloxacin is another form of prostatitis antibiotics for the acute form of the disease. This drug is also a fluoroquinolone. The dosage is usually 200 milligrams for 28 days. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, loss of appetite, dizziness, and tiredness. More serious side effects include hoarseness, fever, loss of consciousness, muscle or joint pain, and shortness of breath. This medication also increases risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Certain antibiotics of all classes can trigger mild side effects in patients.
Certain antibiotics of all classes can trigger mild side effects in patients.

There are some patients who are allergic to both of these prostatitis antibiotics. For these men, the combination drug sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is often prescribed. The usual dose is one tablet containing 800 milligrams sulfamethoxazole and 160 milligrams trimethoprim, taken once a day for 28 days. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased sensitivity to the sun. More serious side effects include hepatitis, hyperkalemia, kidney failure, depression, hallucinations, and convulsions.

Bacterial cultures may be used to identify the effectiveness of antibiotics for a specific infection.
Bacterial cultures may be used to identify the effectiveness of antibiotics for a specific infection.

Chronic prostatitis is also often treated with fluoroquinolones. In the event of fluoroquinolone allergy, doxycycline is often used. The dosage typically prescribed is 100 milligrams twice daily for 28 days. Doxycycline is in the tetracycline drug group. Side effects include diarrhea, sore mouth, and itching of the rectum.

More serious acute cases may require intravenous prostatitis antibiotics. Ceftriaxone is one drug commonly used. It is given in a hospital setting over a period of 12-24 hours, depending on the severity of the infection. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness.

Discussion Comments

anon315096

Try the Avelox and Doxycycline one by one without a gap.

serenesurface

@feruze, @alisha-- Prostatitis antibiotics cannot be changed just because you feel like it. Doctors decide on the antibiotic based on the urine cultures. This helps them figure out which antibiotic the infection is going to react to the best.

The only circumstances under which it should be stopped and/or switched is if there is an allergic reaction or if the infection is not responding to the antibiotic despite the full course of treatment.

If the antibiotic doesn't seem to be working, there could be other infections, health issues that are going on. Or it could be a nonbacterial prostatitis. But following treatment as directed will make doctor's job a lot easier.

discographer

@feruze-- I haven't heard of that antibiotic before but I personally used Ciproflaxcin for a long time for my chronic prostatitis treatment. It did work, but it always seemed to take a very long time to do so.

I decided to get a second opinion from another urologist who suggested that I stop taking the antibiotics since I had been on them for months. He said that some antibiotics, despite having treated the problem, might not cause the symptoms to go away right away. And many doctors do not want to stop treatment while the patient is still complaining about pain and difficulty urinating.

I followed his advice and about a month afterward, my symptoms went away on its own. I'm not saying that this will be the case for you. But antibiotics seem to work differently for different people. Also, another doctor might be able to prescribe a different antibiotic or recommend a different treatment which works better in case your doctor is not giving you many options.

bear78

I'm taking an antibiotic called cephalexin for my chronic prostatitis. In the beginning, I was taking it in higher doses (1000mg per day) over a course of several weeks. It would treat my prostatitis but as soon as I finished the course, it would come back.

Right now, I'm still on cephalexin, but on a much smaller dose as a long term treatment. I feel that this is keeping my prostatis away but the issue is that I can't keep taking antibiotics infinitely.

Unfortunately, our family doctor isn't the best and the antibiotics he suggests are ones I've already tried. I wish there was an antibiotic which could treat my prostatitis permanently and in one course.

Has anyone had a successful chronic prostatitis treatment? Which antibiotic did you use and at what dose did you take it?

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    • Because oral antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.
      By: svetavo
      Because oral antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.
    • Prostatitis is caused by the inflammation of the prostate.
      By: tomschoumakers
      Prostatitis is caused by the inflammation of the prostate.
    • Certain antibiotics of all classes can trigger mild side effects in patients.
      By: Alliance
      Certain antibiotics of all classes can trigger mild side effects in patients.
    • Bacterial cultures may be used to identify the effectiveness of antibiotics for a specific infection.
      By: A Oller
      Bacterial cultures may be used to identify the effectiveness of antibiotics for a specific infection.
    • Vomiting is a common side effect of many prostatitis antibiotics.
      By: olly
      Vomiting is a common side effect of many prostatitis antibiotics.
    • Side effects of prostatitis antibiotics may include nausea.
      By: dragon_fang
      Side effects of prostatitis antibiotics may include nausea.
    • Some prostatitis antibiotics can cause dizziness.
      By: elizalebedewa
      Some prostatitis antibiotics can cause dizziness.
    • Although chronic prostatitis originates in the prostate gland, the condition can produce symptoms commonly associated with urinary tract disorders.
      By: 7activestudio
      Although chronic prostatitis originates in the prostate gland, the condition can produce symptoms commonly associated with urinary tract disorders.
    • Some acute cases of prostatitis require antibiotics to be given through an intravenous line.
      By: tawesit
      Some acute cases of prostatitis require antibiotics to be given through an intravenous line.