Phenazopyridine tablets

What is phenazopyridine?
PHENAZOPYRIDINE (Pyridiatereg;, Pyridiumreg;, Urodolreg;, Urogesicreg;, Viridiumreg;) is used to relieve the pain, burning, or discomfort caused by infection or irritation of the urinary tract. Phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic and will not cure a urinary tract infection. Generic phenazopyridine tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I use phenazopyridine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to phenazopyridine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Take phenazopyridine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You should take phenazopyridine with or following food (or a snack) to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you are being treated for a urinary tract infection, phenazopyridine should not be taken for more than 2 days. However, make sure you complete the full course of antibiotic therapy as directed by your prescriber or health care professional.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with phenazopyridine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from using phenazopyridine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:

• blue or blue-purple color of the skin
• fever or confusion
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• chest tightness, wheezing, or troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• indigestion
• stomach upset

What should I watch for while taking phenazopyridine?
Phenazopyridine produces an orange to red color in the urine. This is to be expected while you are taking this medicine. This effect is harmless and will go away after you stop taking phenazopyridine. Also, the medicine may stain clothing.

Do not use any leftover medicine for future urinary tract problems without first checking with your prescriber or health care professional. If you have an infection, your prescriber or health care professional will need to prescribe additional medicine.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if symptoms such as bloody urine or painful urination appear or become worse while you are taking this medicine. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you have a sudden decrease in the amount of urine while you are taking this medicine.

For patients who wear soft contact lenses: It is best not to wear soft contact lenses while taking this medicine. Phenazopyridine may cause discoloration or staining of the contact lenses. It may not be possible to remove the stain.

For diabetic patients: This medicine may cause false test results with urine sugar tests and urine ketone tests. If you have questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of young 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 break down. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.