UTIs and Cystitis Treatment
At 24HR Pharmacy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis are infections or inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract. They're very common in women because the urethra is shorter, so bacteria can reach the bladder more easily. Typical lower UTI / cystitis symptoms include:

Pain or burning when you pee
Needing to pee more often or urgently (including at night)
Passing small amounts of urine frequently
Cloudy, strong-smelling, or blood-stained urine

See Treatment Options

Your Treatment Options

Trimethoprim

Nitrofurantoin MR

Compare Your Options

From our UTI & Cystitis category, we currently offer two antibiotic options. Both treat acute uncomplicated lower UTIs in women, but differ in how they work and who they suit best.

	Nitrofurantoin MR 100mg	Trimethoprim 200mg
Type of medicine	Urinary antibiotic (nitrofuran) that concentrates in the urine; widely recommended as first-line for uncomplicated cystitis in many UK guidelines.	Antibiotic that blocks bacterial folate synthesis; used for cystitis and UTIs where resistance risk and patient factors allow.
How it works	Damages bacterial DNA and proteins; highly concentrated in urine, making it effective in the bladder but not for kidney infections.	Inhibits enzymes used to make folic acid in bacteria, stopping growth and helping the immune system clear infection.
Typical use for simple lower UTI in women*	Often 100mg modified-release twice daily for 3 days (in women with adequate kidney function), swallowed with food and plenty of fluid.	Often 200mg twice daily for 3 days in women with straightforward UTIs and low risk of resistance, if no contraindications.
Who it usually suits	Women with uncomplicated cystitis, good kidney function (eGFR ≥ 45 mL/min), and no allergy or contraindication to nitrofurantoin. Particularly useful given low resistance rates.	Women with uncomplicated cystitis where local resistance risk is low and who cannot use nitrofurantoin or where trimethoprim is specifically preferred.
Key cautions	Avoid in severe renal impairment, suspected kidney infection, last weeks of pregnancy, or if you've had serious lung, liver, or nerve reactions to nitrofurantoin before. Can cause nausea, headache, and (rarely) lung or liver problems.	Avoid / use with caution in pregnancy, significant renal impairment, folate deficiency, certain blood disorders, or when taking interacting drugs (e.g. methotrexate, some diuretics, some anticonvulsants). Can cause rash, nausea, changes in blood counts.
Kidney infection?	Not suitable – it does not reach good levels in kidney tissue; you need in-person assessment and different antibiotics.	Also not appropriate as an online "self-pick" for suspected kidney infection – high fevers, flank pain or systemic illness need in-person review.

*Exact regimen, duration and suitability will be confirmed by the prescriber and on your dispensing label and patient information leaflet – always follow those rather than general examples.

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Who Is Eligible?

This service is aimed at adult women in the UK with symptoms of a simple lower UTI / cystitis.

You may be suitable if:

You're female and 18+
You have typical cystitis symptoms:
- Burning or pain when you pee
- Needing to pee more often / urgently
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Mild lower tummy discomfort
You do not feel systemically very unwell (no high fever, rigors, flank pain, vomiting)
You're not pregnant, and have no history of severe kidney or liver disease, or serious allergy to these antibiotics

You may not be suitable for online-only treatment if:

You should see a GP, NHS 111, or urgent care instead if you:

Have possible kidney infection symptoms:
- High temperature, feeling hot and shivery
- Pain in your sides or back under the ribs (loin/flank pain)
- Nausea / vomiting, or feeling very unwell
Are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, under 18, male, or have a catheter
Have recurrent UTIs, known structural kidney/urinary tract problems, or a very weak immune system
Have severe kidney disease, significant liver disease, or take medicines that strongly interact with these antibiotics

Urgent help: If you have very high fever, confusion, severe pain in your side/back, shaking chills, or you feel acutely unwell, seek urgent in-person medical care (GP, NHS 111, A&E) rather than using an online cystitis service.

Why choose 24 HR Pharmacy

Pharmacist-led: Every request is checked by a UK-registered prescriber against your medical history and current medicines.
Fast, discreet service: Simple online questionnaire, clear next steps, and discreet delivery to your door.
Ongoing support: Guidance on using your treatment safely, plus practical lifestyle tips to help you get results.
Transparent and responsible: We prescribe only when it is safe and appropriate, and we will suggest alternatives if a medicine is not right for you.

How Our Online Service Works?

Simple, safe, and designed around you. Here is what happens from start to finish.

Quick Online Consultation

You complete a secure form covering:

Your symptoms – burning when you pee, frequency/urgency, blood in urine, lower tummy or back pain
How long symptoms have been present and if this is a first episode or a recurrence
Any fever, flank/side pain, vomiting or feeling generally very unwell (red flags for kidney infection)
Medical history – kidney disease, liver problems, allergies, pregnancy, diabetes, immune problems
Current medicines – including blood thinners, methotrexate, other antibiotics, diuretics

This lets the prescriber check that your symptoms are consistent with a simple lower UTI and that an oral antibiotic is appropriate and safe.

Reviewed by a UK Prescriber

A UK-registered prescriber will:

Confirm your symptoms fit an uncomplicated lower UTI and not a kidney infection or another cause
Screen for red flags needing urgent or face-to-face assessment (for example, high fever, flank pain, vomiting, pregnancy, severe systemic illness)
Check your kidney function history, allergies and other medicines
Decide whether to prescribe Nitrofurantoin MR 100mg (first-line) or Trimethoprim 200mg (alternative)

If online antibiotics aren't suitable, we won't supply them – instead, you'll be directed to GP, NHS 111, or urgent care depending on your symptoms.

Fast, Discreet Dispensing & Delivery

A private prescription is issued for the recommended antibiotic
Medicine is dispensed from our UK-registered pharmacy to full UK standards
Discreet parcels: No external product names on the box

You'll receive clear instructions on how and when to take your antibiotic, and what to expect afterwards.

2000+ Happy Customers

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UTIs and Cystitis TreatmentAt 24HR Pharmacy