Pharmacy First: Urinary Tract Infections in Women Aged 16–64
If you are a woman aged 16–64 and think you may have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI or cystitis, your local community pharmacist may be able to assess you, give advice and provide treatment if needed.
This means you may not need to contact the GP practice first.
In Northern Ireland, participating community pharmacies can assess and treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16–64 through the Pharmacy First service.
Common UTI symptoms
You may have a UTI if you notice:
- Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine
- Passing urine more often than usual
- Needing to pass urine urgently
- Lower tummy discomfort
- Cloudy, strong-smelling or blood-stained urine
What to do
Please contact your local pharmacy first if:
- You are female
- You are aged 16–64
- You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- You feel generally well
- You have symptoms of a simple UTI
Please phone the pharmacy before attending and bring a urine sample if requested.
When to contact the GP practice instead
Please contact Kensington Medical Centre in the usual way if any of the following apply:
- You are male
- You are under 16 or over 64
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You live in a care home
- You use a urinary catheter
- You have kidney impairment
- You have diabetes or are immunocompromised
- You have had more than one antibiotic for a UTI in the last 6 months
- You only have blood in your urine without other UTI symptoms
- You have vaginal discharge, pelvic pain or symptoms that may suggest another cause
- You have porphyria, G6PD deficiency, anaemia, vitamin B deficiency, peripheral neuropathy or electrolyte imbalance
Seek urgent medical help
Please seek urgent medical advice if you feel very unwell, have a high temperature, shivering, vomiting, worsening symptoms, back or side pain, confusion, or symptoms suggestive of kidney infection or sepsis. Kidney infection symptoms can include fever, feeling sick, lower back or side pain and flu-like symptoms.
Why use Pharmacy First?
Using Pharmacy First can help you get advice and treatment more quickly, while keeping GP appointments available for patients who need more complex medical care.
You can still contact the GP practice if you are worried or if the pharmacist advises you to do so.
