How Long It Takes AZO to Work (Plus, 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking It)
Key takeaways:
AZO Urinary Pain Relief (phenazopyridine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that reduces symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). But AZO cannot treat a UTI on its own. So you should take it along with an antibiotic in most cases.
AZO starts to work within 1 hour of taking it. But you’ll need to take it 3 times a day with meals for ongoing relief. You shouldn’t take AZO for more than 2 days without a healthcare professional’s OK.
AZO is available as a brand-name medication as well as a lower-cost generic. A larger dose of phenazopyridine is also available as a prescription medication. No matter which form you’re taking, GoodRx can help you save on the cost of your medication.
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Table of contents
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know that relief from the pain and discomfort it can cause can’t come fast enough. Taking AZO Urinary Pain Relief (phenazopyridine) — AZO for short — can help reduce UTI pain while you’re waiting for an antibiotic to start working.
AZO is available over the counter (OTC), while Pyridium, which contains a higher dose of phenazopyridine, is available with a prescription. If you plan to take either of these medications, it can be helpful to know how to get the most out of them. Below, we’ll answer five common questions about taking the OTC option, including how long it takes AZO to work.
1. AZO works quickly to reduce UTI symptoms
AZO typically starts working within 1 hour of taking it. Antibiotics, on the other hand, can take a few days to provide relief. AZO can help reduce your discomfort while you’re waiting for an antibiotic to kick in.
You can start taking AZO as soon as UTI symptoms appear. The effects of AZO don’t last a long time, so you’ll need to take it 3 times a day for ongoing relief. And you’ll also need an antibiotic to fully treat your UTI in most cases.
2. Drinking plenty of fluids can help AZO work faster
Experts don’t know exactly how AZO reduces UTI discomfort. But it seems to work locally in the bladder and urinary tract to block pain signals. This means it needs to pass through your system and into your urine to start working. Drinking plenty of fluids can help AZO reach your urinary tract faster to help it start working.
Keep in mind that AZO only reduces UTI pain. It doesn’t affect bacteria and it won’t treat a UTI on its own.
3. There’s a limit for how long you should take AZO for UTI symptoms
You can take AZO 3 times a day for up to 2 days. You shouldn’t take it longer than that unless your prescriber tells you to. The main reason AZO is only recommended for such a short period of time is that it can mask the symptoms of a worsening infection. So it’s best to take it along with an antibiotic.
After about 2 days of antibiotic treatment, your infection should improve enough that you no longer need to take AZO. If you’re not feeling better or your symptoms have worsened, talk to your prescriber.
4. AZO cannot cure UTIs on its own
AZO does not cure UTIs. UTIs are typically caused by bacteria. Since AZO has no antibacterial properties, it can’t treat infections.
Phenazopyridine side effects: Learn more about potential phenazopyridine (AZO Urinary Pain Relief) side effects, from headaches to changes in urine color.
Best UTI treatment: Experts cover which antibiotics work best to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Best drinks for a UTI: Here are the best (and worst) things you can drink if you have a UTI.
But as mentioned, AZO can reduce pain and discomfort caused by a UTI. So it can help you feel more comfortable while you’re waiting for an antibiotic to start working.
5. AZO can turn your urine orange
AZO is a dye, so it can turn your urine and other body fluids an orange-red color. This color change isn’t harmful, but it can stain your clothing. Wearing dark-colored clothing or a panty liner can help prevent staining while taking AZO.
AZO can also stain contact lenses. If you usually wear contacts, it’s a good idea to wear glasses while taking AZO to avoid this, if possible.
How to save on AZO
There are ways to save on AZO, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. Even though it’s sold OTC, if you get a prescription for AZO from a healthcare professional you can save on the cost with a free GoodRx discount.
With a prescription, AZO's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $3.90 using GoodRx. And prescription-strength phenazopyridine's price is as low as $4.71 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Azo can help reduce your urge to pee when you have a UTI. That’s because it seems to block nerve signals in the bladder. But it’s important to note that even if you don’t feel UTI symptoms while taking AZO, the infection is still present. That’s why you should take AZO along with an antibiotic in most cases.
Azo doesn’t have many drug interactions. But in rare cases, it can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia. This is a condition that makes it harder for your red blood cells to carry oxygen. The risk of methemoglobinemia may be higher if you take AZO with other medications that can cause this condition, such as dapsone, metoclopramide (Reglan), or chloroquine (Plaquenil).
You should take AZO with food. So the best time to take it is 3 times daily after meals.
The bottom line
AZO (phenazopyridine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that reduces symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). AZO typically starts working within 1 hour of taking it. But you’ll need to take it 3 times a day with meals for ongoing relief. You shouldn’t take AZO for more than 2 days without a healthcare professional’s OK. And you should take it along with an antibiotic in most cases.
AZO doesn’t treat a UTI, but it can make you feel more comfortable while you’re waiting for an antibiotic to start working. Keep in mind that AZO is a dye that can stain contact lenses and turn your urine an orange-red color while you’re taking it.
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References
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. (2024). Phenazopyridine hydrochloride - phenazopyridine tablet [package insert].
Eastham, J. H., et al. (2023). Phenazopyridine. StatPearls.
Ludlow, J. T., et al. (2023). Methemoglobinemia. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2018). Phenazopyridine.
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