Question

A 35 year old female patient is pregnant with her second child. She comes to the clinic with complaints of burning when she urinates. Her urine sample confirms a diagnoses of UTI. Which of the following antibiotics are safe and acceptable to give during pregnancy for a UTI?

a. Cephalexin (Keflex) or Amoxicillin
b. Cephalexin (Keflex) or Ciprofloxacin
c. Amoxicillin or Ciprofloxacin
d. Amoxicillin or Clarythromycin

Answer 1

For treating a UTI during pregnancy, Cephalexin (Keflex) and Amoxicillin are safe choices, while ciprofloxacin is not recommended due to potential fetal risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate antibiotics safe for use during pregnancy for treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) are Cephalexin (Keflex) or Amoxicillin. Drugs like ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole are generally not recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus. Additionally, after initial treatment with antibiotics, if symptoms like vaginal itching, burning, and discharge emerge, it could indicate a secondary yeast infection, which requires antifungal treatment. Nitrofurantoin is also considered safe during pregnancy but should be used cautiously, especially in the first trimester and close to term.