This service is for women only.
Cystitis is a common infection of the bladder that can be painful.
If you suffer from cystitis and can recognise the symptoms, we can provide a prescription for effective treatment from our online doctor service.
We offer two different antibiotics to treat cystitis. Both antibiotics are highly effective in treating bladder infections and symptoms usually improve within 24 hours.
To place your order, you need to fill in a brief questionnaire. You can choose a preferred treatment. Our online doctor will review your information and approve a prescription for a suitable medication.
You can use your prescription to buy your medication at any pharmacy in Ireland.
Use our online assessment to order. A Superdrug Online Doctor will complete your prescription for collection at your local pharmacy.
How our service works
- Complete a short questionnaire about your health.
- Order and pay for your prescription.
- A Superdrug Online Doctor will review your order and approve a prescription for an appropriate treatment.
- Get your prescription sent digitally to your nearest local pharmacy for collection within 2-6 hours from approval.
- Orders received before 3pm will be processed the same day. Orders received after 3pm will be processed the next working day.
The antibiotic MacroBid rarely causes side effects.
In rare cases, side effects can include:
- Skin rashes
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick
The symptoms of cystitis will usually clear up within 4-9 days without taking any medicines. Drinking plenty of water can help to clear the infection faster.
Your local pharmacist will be able to advise on over-the-counter treatments that do not require a prescription.
Some people find that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry capsules can help to prevent infections recurring.
More information
Symptoms of Cystitis
Cystitis, also known as a bladder infection, has symptoms that are related to those of a urinary tract infection. With both, it is important to drink plenty of water, to flush out the bladder.
The symptoms include:
- Needing to urinate more often;
- Experiencing pain or a burning sensation when urinating;
- Bad smelling or cloudy urine;
- Seeing blood in your urine (this only happens occasionally); or
- Feeling pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
In nine out of ten cases of female bladder infection, cystitis is caused by E.coli bacteria from the bowels. Women have a shorter urethra than men and it sits closer to the anus. These E.coli bacteria move from the anus to the urethra as a result of poor hygiene habits (such as wiping your bottom from back to front, instead of from front to back).
It is also possible for women to get cystitis from having sex because the bacteria can be rubbed into the urethra – you can reduce the risk of this happening by urinating after sex to flush out any bacteria that might have transferred. Certain sexually transmitted infections can mimic some of the symptoms of a bladder infection. If the burning sensation during urination is accompanied by any discharge, you should see a doctor.
Likewise, if you experience persistent pain and difficulty urinating, you should also see a doctor, as this can be a symptom of kidney stones or other infections.
About Macrobid
MacroBid is an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections. It contains the active ingredient nitrofurantoin, which is filtered out of the blood into the urine by the kidneys. Once in the urine, MacroBid kills the bacteria that are causing an infection in the urinary tract.
MacroBid is a prolonged-release medication. This means that the medication works slowly and gradually over a few hours. For this reason, you should swallow the capsules whole. Don’t chew them or break them open to take them.
MacroBid can turn your urine a dark yellow or brown colour. This is normal – it is caused by the colour of the medicine.
Cystitis Treatment
Bladder Infections in Men
Male bladder infections are far less common than female bladder infections.
When men reach their 50’s, they are more likely to develop a bladder infection than when they were younger. The symptoms are the same for both men and women. However, male bladder infections can be a sign of an infected prostate or of a problem with the kidneys (for example, kidney stones) that could block the flow of urine. For this reason, we’d recommend you get checked out by your GP, just in case it is something more serious.
Use our online assessment to order. A Superdrug Online Doctor will complete your prescription for collection at your local pharmacy.