Over the counter UTI medication

[tobee]

My elderly mum has told me she's got cystitis and has asked me to go into chemist to get her the otc uti meds.

Can any one tell me what they might ask please?

Does she get cystitis/UTIs often? My late mother spent the last few years of her life in a miserable cycle of cystitis, antibiotics, incontinence, tena pads and anxiety about being away from a toilet.

I wish I had heard about the role of oestrogen in urinary issues in older women back then: www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/17/millions-of-women-are-suffering-who-dont-have-to-why-its-time-to-end-the-misery-of-utis

They are unlikely to ask anything much. Possibly who they are for and how many UTIs she's had in the past year, if you go to a chemist. They are OTC products you can buy in a supermarket so you're not going to need to give a full medical history.

Thank you!

I managed to get down to her today as pharmacist said she needed to be in contact with hcp asap because of her age. Apparently otc antibiotics are not available if under 16 or over 64.

111 online were not very helpful and so she emailed her gp surgery who then rang back within 5 minutes (amazing service) and will send over antibiotics this evening. Then they need a urine sample dropped over by 12 tomorrow and I can pop down and take it in to the surgery for her .

So it seems to be getting sorted.

Thanks very much for your linked article @SoloSofa24. I did know about the oestrogen link. I think dm has not had UTIs before, certainly not often but I'll keep an eye out.