Cranberry juice and antiseptic help prevent UTIs: new guidance
But ‘critical’ gaps in evidence remain — even for essential aspects of UTI treatment, according to researchers.
International guidance backs cranberry juice for reducing symptomatic UTI risk in children, women with a history of recurrent UTIs and other high-risk cohorts.
Methenamine hippurate is also an “appealing” alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for patients without incontinence, say the authors, including doctors from Australia, the US, Canada and Europe.
After reviewing 900 studies, they have made nine recommendations relating to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, antimicrobial stewardship and special populations.
These include prescribing topical oestrogen for postmenopausal women to reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs.
