From the FDA Drug Label
Levofloxacin tablets are indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (mild to moderate) due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The appropriate treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus is levofloxacin (PO), as it is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections due to this bacterium 1.
From the Research
The appropriate treatment for a urinary tract infection caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus typically involves a course of antibiotics, with first-line treatment being nitrofurantoin for five days, fosfomycin in a single dose, trimethoprim for three days, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for three days, as recommended by the most recent study 2.
Treatment Options
- Nitrofurantoin: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 days
- Fosfomycin: 3 grams as a single oral dose
- Trimethoprim: 100 mg orally twice daily for 3 days
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole: 160/800 mg (one double-strength tablet) taken orally twice daily for 3 days
Considerations
- Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve quickly
- Drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
- May use phenazopyridine (Pyridium) 100-200 mg three times daily for 1-2 days to relieve painful urination
- If symptoms worsen or don't improve within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotics, medical reassessment is necessary as this could indicate antibiotic resistance or complications requiring a different treatment approach, as noted in 2
Resistance and Recurrence
- S. saprophyticus is generally susceptible to these antibiotics, though resistance patterns can vary
- Urine culture and susceptibility testing should be reserved for women with recurrent infection, treatment failure, history of resistant isolates, or atypical presentation to make a definitive diagnosis and guide antibiotic selection, as recommended in 2