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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes UTI After Heroin Detoxification?

I was recently released from a heroin detox facility. Upon urinalysis, I was told that I appeared to have some sort of urinary tract infection. I was completely asymptomatic at the time, but am experiencing pain, urgency without producing much urine, and as of today I ve noticed a mixture of blood and urine when I am able to empty my bladder. I wonder if this has anything to do with coming off of heroin and the subsequent Methadone taper I received while in the hospital, or has my heroin use done some potential damage to my kidneys?
Wed, 18 May 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hello,

I can understand your concern. Heroin can cause release of protein in urine and damage to kidneys if used for long time. However, urinary tract infection is not one of the effects of the heroin or detoxification process. It is just a co-incidence that you have got UTI when you are released from the facility.

I would advise you to take Levofloxacin 250 mg (Levoflox) twice a day for 5 days. You should drink lots of fluids and take rest. The symptoms should disappear while you complete the antibiotic course.

If it does not resolve within 5 days, then you should go for urine analysis and blood test for complete blood count. I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have follow up questions.

Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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What Causes UTI After Heroin Detoxification?

Hello, I can understand your concern. Heroin can cause release of protein in urine and damage to kidneys if used for long time. However, urinary tract infection is not one of the effects of the heroin or detoxification process. It is just a co-incidence that you have got UTI when you are released from the facility. I would advise you to take Levofloxacin 250 mg (Levoflox) twice a day for 5 days. You should drink lots of fluids and take rest. The symptoms should disappear while you complete the antibiotic course. If it does not resolve within 5 days, then you should go for urine analysis and blood test for complete blood count. I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have follow up questions. Best, Dr. Viraj Shah