Can Methenamine and Vitamin C Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections, especially in women. Can vitamin C and methanamine help prevent them? Learn more here.
methenamine hippurate
Used for Urinary Tract Infection
Used for Urinary Tract Infection
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) is an antibiotic medication used to prevent and control urinary tract infections (UTIs). It's meant for people who need long-term prevention, not to treat active infections. Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) is taken by mouth twice daily. Methenamine is also available in the form of methenamine mandelate, which is taken four times a day. Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) isn't known to cause many side effects, but they can include nausea, upset stomach, and painful urination.
What is Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)?
What is Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) used for?
- To prevent and eliminate recurrent UTIs in people who need long-term treatment
How Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) works
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) prevents chronic, recurrent UTIs by acting as an antiseptic. Methenamine works in an acidic environment by breaking down into a chemical called formaldehyde, which causes damage to bacteria proteins. This kills and prevents the spread of bacteria. The salts of methenamine (either hippurate or mandelate) help keep the urine environment acidic so that the medication can work better.
When does Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Hiprex |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Less than 4%:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Painful urination
- Rash
The following Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Skin rash
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$139.54
GoodRx discount
$28.38
Pros and cons of Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)
Pros
- Works well to prevent recurrent UTIs
- Starts to work to kill off bacteria in urine after a few hours
- Has mild side effects
- Doesn't affect your gut flora so it doesn’t get rid of the good bacteria your body needs
Cons
- Can't be used to treat an active UTI
- Not recommended for people with kidney problems, severe liver disease, or severe dehydration
- Might not be the best option for people with gout because it can cause urate crystals to form in your urine, which can make gout worse
Pharmacist tips for Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)
- Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) works best when your urine is acidic. It's best to avoid or limit any foods or medications that can make the urine less acidic, such as milk products and antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to flush out bacteria that can cause UTIs. To keep your urine acidic, your provider might recommend you take methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) with cranberry juice or ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
- Don't take methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) if you're taking sulfonamide medications, or "sulfa drugs," because the medications might react and form together as a solid crystal that can’t be broken down. Examples of sulfonamide medications are sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim), sulfadiazine, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin). Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you're unsure if you are taking a sulfa drug.
More on Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) tips
Risks and warnings for Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Possible liver problems
- Risk factors: History of liver disease
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) can temporarily raise your liver enzyme levels, which can be a sign of liver irritation or damage. Your provider might order blood work occasionally to check your liver health, especially if you have a history of liver problems. Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) isn't recommended for people with severe liver problems.
Bladder irritation and frequent urination
- Risk factors: Taking 8 grams daily for more than 3 weeks
People who take larger doses of methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) (higher than recommended) might experience bladder irritation, frequent and painful urination, and protein or blood in your urine. Take the medication exactly as it's prescribed. If you have any of these symptoms, let your provider know.
Medication interactions
Don't take methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) if you're taking a sulfonamide medication, such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Septra, Bactrim). Taking these medications with methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) can lead to the formation of crystals, which can be painful.
In addition, avoid taking methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) with milk products or antacids that has sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, as well as any salicylate medications. Taking these together can make the urine less acidic, which means that methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) won't work as well.
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 1g of Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) is $28.38 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 79.66% off the average retail price of $139.54. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1g | 60 tablets | $28.38 | $0.47 |
Typical dosage for Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)
- People over 12 years old: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth twice a day (morning and night).
- People ages 6 to 12 years old: The typical dose is 0.5 gram to 1 gram by mouth twice a day (morning and night).
- People over 12 years old: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth after each meal and at bedtime (for a total of 4 grams a day).
- People ages 6 to 12 years old: The typical dose is 0.5 gram by mouth after each meal and at bedtime (for a total of 2 grams a day).
Interactions between Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) and other drugs
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Acetazolamide
- Mafenide
- Silver Sulfadiazine
- Sulfabenzamide
- Sulfacetamide
- Sulfacytine
- Sulfadiazine
- Sulfamerazine
- Sulfamethazine
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Sulfanilamide
- Sulfapyridine
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulfathiazole
- Sulfisoxazole
- Zonisamide
How much does Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) will not be safe for you to take.
- Serious liver problems
- Serious kidney problems
- Severe dehydration
- Taking methenamine hippurate (Hiprex) along with sulfonamide medications
What are alternatives to Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Methenamine hippurate (Hiprex). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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