Generality
Cystitis in pregnancy is an inflammatory disease that involves the bladder wall; generally, it is caused by a bacterial infection, favored by hormonal changes that occur during gestation.
Causes
As mentioned, cystitis is an inflammatory disease triggered by a bacterial infection. The bacteria that support this type of infection can be different, among which we remember the Escherichia coli .
In pregnant women, cystitis is particularly widespread, due to a series of changes - hormonal and non-hormonal - that take place within the body. In fact, the increase in progesterone levels in the mother's body favors the decrease of the ureter and urethra muscle tone, with a consequent reduction in the urinary flow rate. Furthermore, during gestation, the growing uterus exerts a mechanical compression on the ureter, which increases with the progress of pregnancy, thus hindering the complete emptying of the bladder. All this, therefore, facilitates the bacterial colonization of the bladder wall.
Symptoms
The typical symptoms of cystitis in pregnancy - as, indeed, those of non-gravid cystitis - consist of: pain and burning during urination, difficult urination, inability to completely empty the bladder, frequent urination, loss of blood in the urine and fever (if elevated, fever indicates the probable spread of the infection to the kidneys).
However, in some cases, cystitis in pregnancy may also be asymptomatic.
Information on Cystitis in Pregnancy - Drugs and Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Cystitis in Pregnancy - Drugs and Care.
drugs
Being an inflammatory disease triggered by a bacterial infection, the drugs used to treat cystitis in pregnancy are antibiotic drugs.
As soon as the first symptoms of cystitis appear, the patients should immediately contact their doctor, who will provide for the prescription of an adequate antibiotic therapy (usually after performing a culture test of the urine, carried out to identify the type of microorganism responsible for the onset of the disorder).
In addition to antibiotic therapy, if the doctor considers it necessary, he can prescribe the administration of paracetamol to give relief from symptoms of cystitis, such as fever and pain.
However, as with many other diseases, prevention remains the best treatment. In this regard, it is advisable to: take adequate quantities of water (at least a liter and a half a day), so as to favor diuresis, do not retain urine for long periods, thus avoiding stagnation in the bladder, avoiding use of underwear made with synthetic fabrics and avoid the use of aggressive intimate cleansers.
Fosfomycin
Fosfomycin (Monuril®, Berny®) is an antibiotic of natural origin and with a broad spectrum of action, which has specific therapeutic indications for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Therefore, this active ingredient can also be used in the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy.
Naturally, the use of this drug by pregnant women must take place exclusively under the strict control of the doctor or a specialist and only in the event that the use of the drug in question is absolutely necessary.
Phosphomycin is available for oral administration in the form of granules for oral suspension. The dose of drug usually used is three grams of active ingredient, to be taken in a single daily dose.
Ampicillin
Ampicillin (Amplital®) is a beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the broad spectrum action class of penicillins. It is an active ingredient widely used in the treatment of cystitis and can also be used for the treatment of cystitis in pregnancy, provided that its use is under the strict control of the doctor and only in cases of real need.
Ampicillin is a drug available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for both oral and parenteral administration.
When administered orally, the dose of active ingredient usually used is 2-3 grams per day, to be taken in two or three divided doses. However, the doctor will determine the exact amount of medicine that each patient will have to take.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin (Amox®, Augmentin®, Clavulin®, Zimox®) is another beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class. It too can be used in the treatment of cystitis in pregnancy, but only in cases of actual need and only under the strict supervision of the doctor.
For the treatment of cystitis in pregnancy, amoxicillin can be administered orally. The dose usually used is about 1-3 grams of active ingredient per day. In any case, the exact dosage of medicine to be taken will be established by the doctor on an individual basis for each patient.
Paracetamol
As mentioned, if deemed necessary, the doctor may decide to prescribe the administration of paracetamol (Tachipirina®, Efferalgan®), to counteract the pain and fever that are often associated with cystitis in pregnancy.
Paracetamol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (or NSAID) available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration.
Generally, for the treatment of cystitis symptoms during pregnancy, this drug is administered orally. The usual dose is 500-1, 000 mg of active ingredient to be taken 2-3 times a day, with an interval of at least four hours between one administration and another. In any case, the doctor will provide adequate information about the amount of paracetamol that each patient will have to take.
