Pyridium

Pyridium is the brand name for phenazopyridine, a medication used to relieve symptoms caused by irritation of the urinary tract, such as pain, burning, and the feeling of needing to urinate urgently or frequently.

It can also be used to treat other discomforts in the lower urinary tract caused by trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or catheters.

You should not take Pyridium for more than two days. There is no evidence that the combined effect of Pyridium and an antibacterial provides greater benefit than administration of the antibacterial alone after that two-day time period.

Pyridium was discovered by Bernhard Joos, the founder of Cilag.

Pyridium Warnings

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Pyridium or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or any other blood disorder. Pyridium will cause your urine to be dark or turn it to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not cause for alarm.

If you wear contact lens, you should discontinue their use while being treated with Pyridium. The medication has been known to permanently discolor contact lenses (and fabrics used in making underwear).

If you are diabetic, be aware that Pyridium can cause false urine blood sugar test results and ketone tests. You should check with your doctor about what to do, especially if your diabetes in not well controlled.

Do not use Pyridium for longer than two days, unless your doctor has told you to do so.

Pyridium may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

Pyridium is removed from your body by the kidneys. As you grow older, your kidney function may decrease significantly. Elderly people may be at greater risk for change in amount of urine or yellowing skin or eyes if treated with Pyridium.

Pregnancy and Pyridium

You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. Pyridium has not shown any adverse effects in pregnant animals, but no human trials have been conducted.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. But you should consult your doctor before breastfeeding if you are being treated with Pyridium.

Common Side Effects of Pyridium:

Some of the side effects of Pyridium may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects should disappear.

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Itching of the skin
• Stomach cramps or pain

Serious Side Effects of Pyridium:

If you have any of the following side effects while taking Pyridium, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

• Blue or blue-purple color of skin
• Fever and confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in 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
• Weight gain
• Yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, including:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Pyridium is indicated for the symptomatic relief of pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other discomforts arising from irritation of the lower urinary tract mucosa caused by infection, trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or the passage of sounds or catheters. The use of Phenazopyridine HCl for relief of symptoms should not delay definitive diagnosis and treatment of causative conditions. Because it provides only symptomatic relief, prompt appropriate treatment of the cause of pain must be instituted and Phenazopyridine HCl should be discontinued when symptoms are controlled.

The analgesic action may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic analgesics or narcotics. It is, however, compatible with antibacterial therapy and can help to relieve pain and discomfort during the interval before antibacterial therapy controls the infection. Treatment of a urinary tract infection with Phenazopyridine HCl should not exceed two days because there is a lack of evidence that the combined administration of Phenazopyridine HCl and an antibacterial provides greater benefit than administration of the antibacterial alone after two days. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.)

Headache, rash, pruritus and occasional gastrointestinal disturbance. An anaphylactoid-like reaction has been described. Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, renal and hepatic toxicity have been reported, usually at overdosage levels (see OVERDOSAGE section).

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Avoid wearing soft contact lenses while you are taking phenazopyridine. The medication can cause permanent staining of soft contact lenses.

Pyridium is a medication used to relieve urinary pain, burning, urgency, and frequency associated with urinary tract infections. Pyridium is not an antibiotic; it does not cure infections.

Although the exact mechanism of action for Pyridium is unknown, it is a medication that has been used for many years to provide relief from urinary pain and discomfort.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken three times a day after meals. Common side effects include red-orange or brown urine, headache, or upset stomach.  Pyridium can also cause dizziness.  Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Pyridium affects you.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.  Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of Pyridium (phenazopyridine) is 200 mg three times per day after meals.  The maximum daily dose is 600 mg.

Check with your doctor if symptoms such as bloody urine, difficult or painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, or sudden decrease in the amount 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 harmless and will go away after you stop taking the medicine. Also, the medicine may stain clothing.

For patients who wear soft contact lenses:

• It is best not to wear soft contact lenses while being treated with this medicine. Phenazopyridine may cause discoloration or staining of 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 any questions about this, check with your health care professional, especially if your diabetes is not well controlled.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

There may be other drugs that can affect Pyridium. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Applies to phenazopyridine: compounding powder, oral tablet

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash and pruritus.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included occasional upset.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included an orange to red discoloration of the urine.[Ref]

Some side effects of Pyridium may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.