Phenazopyridine for Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms FAQs
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Phenazopyridine is a medication prescribed to relieve symptoms caused by irritation of the urinary tract, such as pain, burning, discomfort, as well as urgent and frequent urination. It works by numbing the lining of the urinary tract, which decreases pain. However, it is not an antibiotic. It will not treat a urinary tract infection (UTI).1
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Phenazopyridine comes as a tablet or capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablets as it may cause your teeth to become stained; swallow them whole with a full glass of water.
You may stop taking this drug when pain and discomfort completely disappear. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenazopyridine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
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The recommended phenazopyridine treatment duration is two days. This short period provides swift relief from discomfort until antibiotics can treat the infection.2
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Phenazopyridine is usually taken three times a day, after meals.
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Phenazopyridine is available both over the counter and by prescription and can be purchased online. Start a low-cost ($39) online consultation for urinary tract infection symptoms with RedBox Rx to see if prescription-strength phenazopyridine could be right for you.
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Phenazopyridine at RedBox Rx is $15 for 20 100 mg tablets. No insurance required.
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Before taking phenazopyridine:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to phenazopyridine or any other drugs.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking phenazopyridine, call your doctor.
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Phenazopyridine may cause side effects, including:
Headache.
Dizziness.
Upset stomach.
Your urine may turn red-orange or brown. This effect is harmless.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.
Phenazopyridine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
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Keep this medication in the container it comes in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up, and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community.
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In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
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Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to phenazopyridine.
Phenazopyridine can interfere with laboratory tests, including urine tests for glucose (sugar) and ketones. If you have diabetes you should use Clinitest rather than Tes-Tape or Clinistix to test your urine for sugar. Urine tests for ketones (Acetest and Ketostix) may give false results. Before you have any tests, tell the laboratory personnel and doctor that you take this medication.
Phenazopyridine stains clothing and contact lenses. Avoid wearing contact lenses while taking this medicine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable.
If you still have symptoms after you finish the phenazopyridine, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over the counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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