Phenazopyridine
Generic Name: phenazopyridine
Brand Names: Azo Standard, Pyridium, Prodium, Pyridiate, Baridium, Uricalm, Urodine, UTI Relief
Drug Class: Analgesics, Urinary
What is phenazopyridine, and what is it used for?
Phenazopyridine is a painkiller (analgesic) available by prescription and over the counter, used to relieve pain and discomfort in the lower urinary tract. Phenazopyridine does not treat the cause of urinary tract symptoms, but provides temporary relief from irritation caused by medical procedures, surgery, urinary catheter, injury or infection.
Phenazopyridine is an azo dye with analgesic properties, but it is not clear how exactly it works. Phenazopyridine is excreted in the urine and is believed to act like a topical analgesic on the mucous lining of the urinary tract. Phenazopyridine is typically used for a maximum of two days with antimicrobial therapy to relieve symptoms before the antimicrobial drugs take effect.
Warnings
Do not use phenazopyridine in patients who:
Are hypersensitive to phenazopyridine or any of its components
Have impaired kidney function
Limit use for a maximum of two days; discontinue phenazopyridine if symptoms continue after two days or adverse effects occur
Phenazopyridine changes the urine color; may affect urinalysis based on spectrometry or color reactions
Discontinue phenazopyridine if the skin or eye whites turn yellowish color; it is an indication of drug accumulation in tissue because of kidney failure; exercise particular caution in geriatric patients
Use with caution in patients with G6PD deficiency, a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to break down in response to certain medications, infections or other stresses; can lead to hemolytic anemia with chronic overdose of phenazopyridine
Phenazopyridine use in patients with kidney disease can cause kidney failure, hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia, a condition with high levels of methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that does not release oxygen to the tissues effectively
What are the side effects of phenazopyridine?
Common side effects of phenazopyridine include:
Severe side effects of phenazopyridine include:
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What are the dosages of phenazopyridine?
Tablets
95 mg
97.2 mg
100 mg
200 mg
Dysuria, Irritation of Lower Urinary Tract Mucosa
Adult:
100-200 mg orally after meals three times daily
Pediatric:
Children under 6 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Children 6-12 years: 12 mg/kg/day orally after meals, divided every 8 hours
Children over 12 years: 100-200 mg orally after meals three times daily
Dosing considerations
Administration
Give after food/meals to minimize gastrointestinal (GI) side effects
Overdose
What drugs interact with phenazopyridine?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
Phenazopyridine has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
Phenazopyridine has no known serious interactions with other drugs.
Moderate interactions of phenazopyridine include:
prilocaine
Phenazopyridine has no known mild interactions with other drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
What else should I know about phenazopyridine?
Take phenazopyridine exactly as prescribed or as per label instructions
Phenazopyridine may stain contact lenses or clothing; handle with care
Store phenazopyridine safely out of reach of children
Phenazopyridine does not treat urinary infection, it is only an analgesic; do not use to treat infection
If you use over-the-counter phenazopyridine, do not use for longer than 2 days; seek medical help if symptoms continue or if you experience adverse effects
Check with your doctor before using phenazopyridine if you have kidney disease
Health News
Summary
Phenazopyridine is a painkiller (analgesic) available by prescription and over the counter, used to relieve pain and discomfort in the lower urinary tract. Common side effects of phenazopyridine include fever, urine discoloration, rash, itching (pruritus), headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, elevated liver enzymes, and others. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of phenazopyridine use in pregnant women; use only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Avoid use in nursing mothers.
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