It is important to treat any urinary tract infection as quickly as possible, and this is even more important for complicated urinary tract infections. Some problems can make urinary tract infections difficult to treat, including:
- You have a blockage in your urinary tract
- Urinary retention
- Kidney stones
- I have a urinary catheter
- You have a weakened immune system
- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
The first step in treatment is often the administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic before test results are available. These antibiotics kill multiple types of bacteria at once. If results are available for the type of bacteria present, you will likely continue taking that antibiotic or start taking another antibiotic specifically tailored to that type of bacteria. Research is ongoing to find better treatments for complicated UTIs, and in June 2026 the FDA made the decision [Agencia de medicamentos y alimentos] has approved a new oral antibiotic for certain adults who suffer from complicated urinary tract infections, including kidney infections, and have few or no other treatment options.
Many people feel better just a few days after starting antibiotics. If you don’t feel better or your symptoms get worse, contact a doctor as soon as possible. Your treatment may be changed or you may need intravenous antibiotics. Once the intravenous antibiotics start to work, the treatment is usually changed so that you go back to taking tablets.
A GP, GP or hospital doctor may be able to treat your complicated urinary tract infection, but you may be referred to a urologist or infectious disease (ID) specialist. A urologist specializes in treating urinary tract diseases, while an IE specialist can help you choose the best antibiotics to treat the infection.
In addition to treating the infection, you may need pain medication if your pain is severe.