Cystitis (UTI)
Symptoms, self-care and treatment for women, from a pharmacist or a UK prescriber.
Get treated from £15.00
A prescriber decides if treatment is right for you. No prescription is guaranteed.
Select your product
Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is a recommended antibiotic treatment for cystitis – also called a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Take 1 capsule twice a day for 3 days. This treatment should be taken at meal times with either food or milk.
Start with £15.00
Get started
About Cystitis (UTI)
Cystitis is an infection of the bladder. It is the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs can affect different parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder (cystitis), the urethra (urethritis) and the kidneys (kidney infection).
UTIs are common, especially in women. Women have a shorter urethra than men, so bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from poo getting into the urinary tract.
Yes. Mild cases sometimes get better on their own. If treatment is needed, a pharmacist, GP or prescriber may recommend a short course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are not always needed, and a prescriber decides whether they are suitable.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about your symptoms
Answer questions about your symptoms, your health and any medicines you take.
About 5 minutes
- 2
A prescriber reviews it
A UK-registered prescriber checks treatment is suitable, and may contact you.
- 3
The decision
If suitable, collect it from a pharmacy or get it delivered. We can tell your GP.
2-3 days delivery
- See if you're eligible
Frequently asked questions
A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. Cystitis is a UTI in the bladder, and it is the most common type.
Usually bacteria from poo getting into the urinary tract. Women are more likely to get UTIs because they have a shorter urethra. Wiping back to front, the menopause, spermicide and not drinking enough can all make a UTI more likely.
Some mild UTIs get better without antibiotics. Get help if your symptoms do not improve within 48 hours, get worse, or you have any of the urgent symptoms above.
Rest, drink enough fluids and take paracetamol for pain. If you need treatment, a pharmacist (through NHS Pharmacy First if you are eligible), your GP or a prescriber can decide whether you need antibiotics.
In England, yes, through NHS Pharmacy First, if you are a woman aged 16 to 64 and not pregnant or breastfeeding. The pharmacist decides whether you need antibiotics.
It depends on your symptoms, your health and any other medicines you take. The prescriber chooses a suitable antibiotic, or may advise that you do not need one.
Yes. Men with UTI symptoms should ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111, rather than use an online consultation.
If you keep getting UTIs, or you have blood in your pee, see a GP so they can look for the cause.
There is no evidence cranberry products ease symptoms or treat a UTI that has already started. There is some evidence they may help prevent repeat bladder infections. Avoid them if you take warfarin.
Take paracetamol before bed, drink enough fluids during the day, and try a hot water bottle on your tummy, back or between your thighs. Get help if pain stops you sleeping or you have any urgent symptoms.
Mild cystitis often gets better on its own with rest, fluids and pain relief. If treatment is needed, a short course of antibiotics is the usual option, after a pharmacist, GP or prescriber checks it is suitable.
No. Antibiotics for UTIs are prescription-only. In England, a pharmacist can supply them through NHS Pharmacy First if you are eligible, or a GP or prescriber can decide whether you need them.
Get help with cystitis
A prescriber decides if treatment is right for you. No prescription is guaranteed.
Start consultation
