UTIs aren't specifically tracked as a direct symptom of myasthenia gravis, but they do come up as a concern because some MG treatments — particularly immunosuppressants — can lower your body's ability to fight off infections, making UTIs more likely. The good news is that there are antibiotic options that are considered Show Full Answer
UTIs aren't specifically tracked as a direct symptom of myasthenia gravis, but they do come up as a concern because some MG treatments — particularly immunosuppressants — can lower your body's ability to fight off infections, making UTIs more likely. The good news is that there are antibiotic options that are considered safer for people with MG. One commonly used option is nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin), which works mainly in the urinary tract and has less impact on the rest of the body — making it a generally safer choice.
A few things worth knowing:
- Not all antibiotics are safe with MG, so it's important to always flag your MG diagnosis when being treated for a UTI
- Some antibiotics can worsen MG symptoms, so your doctor needs to choose carefully
- Even "safer" antibiotics may not be right for everyone — your doctor knows your full picture best
- In some cases, close monitoring may be needed, especially if a stronger antibiotic is required
Always loop in your MG specialist or neurologist when you're being treated for any infection, so they can help guide the safest antibiotic choice for you.
May 12
I like cranberry juice maybe I’ll start drinking that.
May 12
Hi Cheryl - thank u. I’m going to send my recent blood work to my neurologist and I’m sure she’ll send in a script for me for meds.
May 12
Weird thing is I don’t feel like I have a UTI but when I had dropped off my urine to be tested, it shows infections.
May 12
Hey carol...I never feel like I have an infection either and then I end up very sick...do if anything feels odd or looks funny or smells weird I go in.
May 12