Important Note

The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

PHENAZOPYRIDINE - ORAL

(feh-naze-oh-PEER-ih-deen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Pyridium, Urogesic

Uses

This medication is used to relieve pain, burning and discomfort of the urinary tract.

How To Use

Take this with food or after meals to prevent stomach upset. For urinary tract infections, this medication should be used for only 2 days when used in combination with an antibiotic drug. Length of therapy for phenazopyridine alone is usually less than 15 days.

Side Effects

This medication may cause stomach upset, headache, or dizziness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. This medication causes urine to turn orange-red in color. This is not harmful. The color change will disappear when the medication is stopped. Notify your doctor if you experience: weakness. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: kidney or liver disease, any allergies. If this medication makes you dizzy, avoid driving or taking part in activities requiring alertness. Phenazopyridine may cause staining of contact lenses. Do not wear contacts while taking this medication. Before using phenazopyridine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known if phenazopyridine is excreted into breast milk. While, to date, there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of all the medicines you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially: all pain medications. Phenazopyridine can interfere with certain laboratory tests, including urine tests for glucose (sugar) and ketones. Diabetics should use Clinitest to test their urine for sugar because phenazopyridine does not affect its results. Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel and doctor that you take this medication. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual tiredness, skin color changes, decrease in amount of urine; or yellowing of skin or eyes.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.