PHENAZOPYRIDINE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Azo-Standard
- Baridium
- Eridium
- Geridium
- Phenazodine
- Pyridiate
- Pyridium
- Urodine
- Urogesic
- Viridium
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
Description
Phenazopyridine (fen-az-oh-PEER-i-deen) is used to relievethe pain, burning, and discomfort caused by infection or irritation of theurinary tract. It is not an antibiotic and will not cure the infection itself.
In the U.S., phenazopyridine is available only with your doctor's prescription.In Canada, it is available without a prescription. It is available in thefollowing dosage form:
Oral- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For phenazopyridine,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to phenazopyridine. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Phenazopyridine has not been studied in pregnantwomen. However, phenazopyridine has not been shown to cause birth defectsin animal studies.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether phenazopyridine passesinto the breast milk. However, phenazopyridine has not been reported to causeproblems in nursing babies.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of phenazopyridine in children with use in other age groups, it is notexpected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it doesin adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of phenazopyridine in the elderly with use in other age groups,this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problemsin older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of phenazopyridine. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or
- Hepatitis or
- Kidney disease?The chance of side effects may be increased.
Proper Use of This Medicine
This medicineis best taken with food or after eating a meal or a snack to lessen stomachupset.
Do not use any leftover medicine for future urinarytract problems without first checking with your doctor. An infectionmay require additional medicine.
Dosing?The dose of phenazopyridine will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of phenazopyridine. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For relieving pain, burning, and discomfort in the urinary tract:
- Adults and teenagers?200 milligrams (mg) three times a day.
- Children?The dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 4 mg per kilogram (kg) (about 1.8 mg perpound) of body weight three times a day.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not doubledoses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink,or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to breakdown.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Check with your doctor if symptoms such as bloody urine, difficultor painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, or sudden decrease in theamount of urine appear or become worse while you are taking this medicine.
Phenazopyridine causes the urine to turn reddish orange. This is to be expected while you are using it. This effect is harmlessand will go away after you stop taking the medicine. Also, the medicine maystain clothing.
For patients who wear soft contact lenses:
- It is best not to wear soft contact lenses while being treated withthis medicine. Phenazopyridine may cause discoloration or staining of contactlenses. It may not be possible to remove the stain.
For diabetic patients:
- This medicine may cause false test results with urine sugar testsand urine ketone tests. If you have any questions about this, check with yourhealth care professional, especially if your diabetes is not well controlled.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you aretaking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Rare
Blue or blue-purple color of skin; fever and confusion; shortness of breath, tightnessin chest, wheezing, or troubled breathing; skin rash; sudden decrease in the amount of urine; swelling of face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; weightgain; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If younotice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 12/17/1999
