What are some treatments for E. coli infection in the urinary tract?

The most common treatment for a urinary tract infection, or UTI, caused by the bacteria E coli is oral antibiotics. For this infection, doctors often prescribe a three-day course of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, according to the University of Maryland.

Another useful antibiotic for a UTI caused by E coli is the antibiotic nitrofurantoin, which patients usually take twice a day for five days, according to the University of Maryland. Along with antibiotic medication, health care providers also recommend that patients with UTIs drink a lot of water, urinate frequently and ensure that they empty their bladders completely when voiding, according to WebMD.