What are the recommended antibiotics for UTIs in the elderly?

My issue is that IF Grandma had a serious side effect from Cipro, she might try to hide it. OR, it could be detrimental to her mobility.

Cipro was the “go-to” medicine for moms GP when she was living independently. I never questioned if it was the right one for her many UTIs and she had no side effects. But now that the NH has taken over her care I have learned that Cipro is a pretty strong antibiotic and they hesitate to give it out without a culture due to their fear that she would become immune to its effects and if she developed something very serious it wouldn’t work. This was a source of frustration for me since I wanted immediate resolution to her uti hallucinations but it made sense once they showed me the results of the cultures and the list of recommended antibiotics for each of them. So ecoli was treated with macrobid. The hallucinations resumed immediately and after a battle she was tested again and was found to have another bacteria underlying the 1st one. So Proteus mirabelus was treated with rocefrin and then Bactrim. If Cipro had been given 1st would it have handled both? Don’t know, but this was about a month long hell for her. Point is a culture is always helpful.

Does Grandma go to a geriatrics doctor?

If she doesn't, this may be a good time to make the switch.

I can't understand why a culture wasn't taken. Aren't they pretty much guessing if they don't have that to go on?

Hmm
Mom has been plagued by UTIs since her move to a facility although we've recently been keeping them at bay with an OTC supplement, hydration and frequent diaper changes

That said, I am surprised Dr didn't order a culture as that's the only way to know what type of bacteria it is e.g., e-coli and what will kill it

Bactrim is frequently used as a first round antibiotic
Keflex and levaquin are stronger and have similar warnings no doubt

Best to let her Dr know your concerns

If you have concerns, call the doctor or the nurse line for grandma's insurance company.

I would think it's the UTI that's bothering gma, not the drug.