Will penicillin work for a bladder infection?

Question

at the start of the month i had a throat infection and the doctors gave me penacillin, i still got a bunch left because i stopped taking them after a few days because my throat was feeling better, if i start taking the penacillin again will it heal my bladder infection so i wont have to go to the doctors again

Answer 1

First of all, any time you are prescribed antibiotics for an infection, ALWAYS take the ENTIRE course that the doctor recommends.  If you stop taking them too soon, any leftover bacteria could become more persistent and resistant to further treatment.  Just because you feel better after a few days does not mean that the infection is completely gone.

Re: your bladder infection:  Whether or not penicillin would help would depend on what type of bacteria is involved.  You need to see a doctor for a correct diagnosis and to find out what antibiotic your doctor recommends.  Also, remember to take the entire course of antibiotics, even if you feel better after a few days.  

Answer 2

It might, but you know you should always finish all of your antibiotics, because the virus can still be in your system after you start feeling better.

And they usually give a stronger antibiotic for bladder infections. I've had a few of them myself. So you can try it. But the infection may come back, as you don't have the amount of a "full course" of antibiotics. And as I said it will probably need a stronger antibiotic.

Answer 3

It may not. Penicillin will work for your throat infection because it's usually caused by the streptococcus bug which dies when penicillin is given. However, urinary tract infections are commonly due to other bugs that don't respond to penicillin. So please go to your doctor and  get the urine sent for a culture before starting treatment because there are several bugs that can cause it, and the culture will help to decide the correct antibiotic.

If you've already started taking the penicillin, stop it at least a day before you go to see the doctor as culture results are affected by use of antibiotics.