Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell you you can get antibiotics for a UTI from a pharmacy?

17 replies

maybein2022 · 08/05/2024 14:56

Maybe this is old news, but I had no idea, so thought I’d share. I have a UTI. Haven’t had one for years but used to get them regularly so absolutely know this is what it is. Phoned the GP fully expecting to have to jump through many hoops to get an appointment and/or antibiotics- but no, they said pharmacies now have been directed to prescribe. Phoned up my local pharmacy and sure enough can get antibiotics in a hour’s time.

Hope that is useful to someone!

OP posts:
Iamtheoneinten · 08/05/2024 15:08

There’s a few things that pharmacies can now prescribe for. However, not all pharmacies have joined Pharmacy First yet. And also for UTIs it’s over 16s only and only for no complications UTIs. Online pharmacies have prescribed antibiotics for UTIs for a while too. But considering time is of the essence when you’ve got a UTI it’s very helpful.

Excited101 · 08/05/2024 15:10

It’s been a while since I had a UTI but I thought they tested for which type you had, and prescribed more specific antibiotics for that- is that not necessary any more?

Octavia64 · 08/05/2024 15:15

Not mine you can't

Mindymomo · 08/05/2024 15:17

@Excited101 yes that used to be the case, as well as not wanting to prescribe antibiotics without first seeing you, but since lockdown, that’s all gone out the window. Our local Boots pharmacist was very good, but it’s closed down and another practice has taken over, so will be interesting to see whether or not they will prescribe antibiotics, I got some hydrocortisone cream there recently no questions asked or the usual “only use it for 3 days and not on the face”, we’ll see.

Ritadidsomethingbad · 08/05/2024 15:18

It’s a god send.

Sahara123 · 08/05/2024 15:24

Except mine wouldn’t because they said my symptoms weren’t clear enough. So I ended up at the GP anyway with my sample pot, sure enough, UTI .
Took four lots of antibiotics to clear it in the end, not that it was anybody’s fault, it just wouldn’t go away ! Plus I had a horrible reaction to one antibiotic, actually sent me a bit loopy, it was horrible! Luckily I have the worlds best nurse practitioner, she sorted me out .

Cesarina · 08/05/2024 15:30

Pharmacists have been able to prescribe short courses of certain antibiotics for UTI's for a long time here in the North West, (not sure if location is relevant?). It used to be the case that they couldn't if you had had a UTI in the previous 6 months.
I don't know if the latter rule is still in place.
The wording I've seen is that pharmacists can treat uncomplicated UTI's.
And the ruling that they can't prescribe for people over 65 stays the same, AFAIK.

Original poster
maybein2022 · 08/05/2024 16:49

Ah ok, seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. I went along this afternoon, and just had a short chat (no sample taken) and was prescribed a course of 3 days which apparently is the max they can prescribe- if it doesn’t clear after that then has to be GP. Interestingly, she mentioned they’ve only been able to do this on the nhs since early this year- but before then you could pay a private prescription to get them. I pay for my nhs prescriptions anyway- but was under £10 to get them.

OP posts:
Sapphire387 · 08/05/2024 17:00

Sahara123 · 08/05/2024 15:24

Except mine wouldn’t because they said my symptoms weren’t clear enough. So I ended up at the GP anyway with my sample pot, sure enough, UTI .
Took four lots of antibiotics to clear it in the end, not that it was anybody’s fault, it just wouldn’t go away ! Plus I had a horrible reaction to one antibiotic, actually sent me a bit loopy, it was horrible! Luckily I have the worlds best nurse practitioner, she sorted me out .

Was the one that 'sent you loopy' called Nitrofurantoin? It's always the first one they like to prescribe for UTI's, but it affects my mental health. Wondering if I'm not the only one!

Knittedfairies2 · 08/05/2024 17:04

Apparently you have to be under 64 to access the service. I don't know why 64; seems a bit arbitrary to me.

OceanicBoundlessness · 08/05/2024 17:53

Hope it helps. I have mixed feelings about this after getting stuck in a horrible UTI/thrush cycle that marred my late teens to mid twenties. Now I have other things that I know work and would take antibiotics as a last, rather than first resort.

DocMRCGP · 22/06/2024 13:13

Short course (less than 5 days) will not always work unless maybe you have early UTI symptoms, because the usual antibiotics (nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim) only stop bacterial growth not kill them. 5-7 days of antibiotics would be needed usually in women, and 7-10 days in men

Misthios · 22/06/2024 13:16

Yes we can get them in Scotland too - as long as your case is not complex. If you have had three (?) UTIs in the past 12 months they won't prescribe. Won't give you them if you have any indication of kidney issues such as blood in the urine or pain in the back. Won't give if you have a temperature, or other complicating issues such as a catheter, diabetes. It is a good system in general though.

MidlifeChange · 22/06/2024 13:17

Thanks that’s good to know.

Blushingm · 22/06/2024 13:23

Yes but you have to see a pharmacist who will decide if they're a suitable treatment you can't just get them off the shelf

Blushingm · 22/06/2024 13:26

Knittedfairies2 · 08/05/2024 17:04

Apparently you have to be under 64 to access the service. I don't know why 64; seems a bit arbitrary to me.

Research has over that age there can be more complications of a UTI and you have more comorbiditues so they're more likely to need your medical records. There has to be a cut off so that's it

New posts on this thread. Refresh page