Pharmacy First | Urinary Tract Infection – Antibiotic Supply

This article has been written and medically approved by Pharmacist Conor McSorley GPhC Reg No. 2223070

Women between 16 and 65 years suffering from an uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) can seek advice and treatment directly from their pharmacist.

You may be suffering from an uncomplicated UTI if you are suffering with any of the below symptoms:

• Urinating more than usual
• Producing large volumes of urine
• Pain or difficulty when urinating
• Pain in your lower abdomen
• Blood in the urine

Why Visit the Pharmacy First?

By knowing when it is appropriate to visit your local pharmacy first, you can ensure that you are receiving the most appropriate level of care by a suitable healthcare professional at the right time. By choosing to visit the pharmacist first, you will get the clinical advice and support you need on the same day and only be signposted to your GP if needed.

A pharmacist will refer the following patients to their GP but if you fall under any of the below patient groups, it may still be worth contacting your pharmacist first to get help and advice quicker while you wait for your appointment. 

• If you suffer from recurrent attacks or more than two episodes of UTI within the previous 12 months.
• If you suffer from back or loin pain and fever
• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• If you are catheterised.

The above list is not an exhaustive list and it is at the pharmacist’s discretion to decide if you are suitable for an antibiotic supply. If you are not suitable then the pharmacist will refer you to a more suitable healthcare professional.

All information is correct at the time of writing.