phenazopyridine
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is a pain medication used to relieve urinary urgency, pain, and discomfort caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), surgery, or catheters. The medication is available over the counter (OTC) at lower strengths, and by prescription at higher strengths. You shouldn't take it for more than 2 days to treat symptoms of a UTI without speaking to your healthcare provider since it can hide a worsening infection.
What is Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)?
What is Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) used for?
- Relief of urinary pain, burning, urgency, and frequency caused by infection, trauma, catheter use, or surgery
How Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) works
It's not exactly known how phenazopyridine (Pyridium) works. But it's thought to work directly on the lining of the urinary tract to relieve pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
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
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Itching
- Upset stomach
Less Common Side Effects
- Vision changes
- Anemia
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
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The following Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
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:
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.
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Pros and cons of Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Pros
- Available over-the-counter and by prescription
- Works quickly to relieve urinary pain and discomfort
- Has very few interactions with other medications
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Might need to take it three times a day
- Only treats the symptoms of a UTI, not the underlying cause
- Can cause stains to clothing, fabric, linen, and even soft contact lenses
- Not the safest option for people with serious kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
- Take phenazopyridine (Pyridium) with or after meals (or a snack). Taking it with food can lessen stomach upset. And make sure you drink a full glass (8 oz) of water when taking your dose.
- It's normal for your urine to change into a red-orange color when taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium). Although it isn't harmful, this can stain your clothes, particularly your undergarments. Take special care to avoid this staining like wearing a pantyliner.
- Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) can also stain soft contact lenses if you touch them after handling the tablets. If possible, avoid wearing contacts until you are done taking this medication to prevent this problem.
- If you're using phenazopyridine (Pyridium) along with an antibiotic for a UTI, don't take this medication for more than 2 days unless your healthcare provider specifically told you to do so.
- Don't take phenazopyridine (Pyridium) more than the recommended dose. Many of the serious side effects of this medication happen when too much of it is taken. If you feel this medication isn't working well enough, contact your provider because you might need to be examined for a more serious condition.
- Since phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is a colored dye, it can cause false results in people undergoing a urinalysis (a type of urine test). Make sure to tell your provider that you're taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) if you're scheduled for a urine test.
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Common questions about Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) works pretty quickly. Some people might start feeling symptom relief within 20 minutes to an hour.
No, phenazopyridine (Pyridium) won't get rid of a UTI because it doesn't kill bacteria. Instead it only relieves discomfort or pain that's caused by a UTI. You likely will need to take an antibiotic that your provider will prescribe, along with phenazopyridine (Pyridium) to treat the infection.
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is intended to relieve pain right away from a UTI while you're also taking the antibiotic. And after 2 days, you shouldn't need to take phenazopyridine (Pyridium) anymore because the antibiotic should start working to treat the UTI-related pain. But if you're still having pain and discomfort after 2 days of starting the antibiotic, it's possible the antibiotic isn't working and you might need to be switched to a different antibiotic. If this happens, call your provider.
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is a dye that's a red-orange color. So it will cause your urine to become red-orange. But luckily it isn't harmful. Things like clothes, bed sheets, or contact lenses can stain since phenazopyridine (Pyridium) can change the color of your bodily fluids. Also, those that take phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for a long time might have yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
Probably not. There haven't been any studies on the safety of phenazopyridine (Pyridium) in breastfeeding mothers. Since the medication can potentially cause blood problems, it's recommended to avoid breastfeeding while taking the medication, especially with a baby under 1 month of age or with a condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
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Risks and warnings for Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) 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.
Low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
- Risk factors: G6PD deficiency
In people with a blood condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, phenazopyridine (Pyridium) can raise the risk of developing hemolytic anemia. This condition causes red blood cells to break down faster than they can be made, so the overall red blood cell count will be low. Contact your provider if you experience paleness, feeling very tired, fast heart rate, or shortness of breath.
Overdose
- Risk factors: People age 65 or older | Kidney problems
Some people have had serious side effects like kidney or liver damage while taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium). This is especially true when people take more than the recommended amount of the medication. Too much phenazopyridine (Pyridium) can cause hemolytic anemia even in people who don't have G6PD deficiency (see above). And your skin and the whites of your eyes can turn yellow if you take more medication than you should. Stop taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) and talk to a healthcare provider right away if you start having fatigue, confusion, dizziness, yellowing of the skin and eyes, or a change in heartbeat.
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) dosage
Typical dosage for Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is available both OTC and by prescription. The OTC strengths are 95 mg, 97.5 mg, and 99.5 mg. The prescription strengths available are 100 mg and 200 mg.
- OTC (adults and children 12 years old and older): The typical dose is 2 tablets by mouth three times a day after meals, as needed for up to 2 days.
- Prescription (adults): The typical dose is 200 mg by mouth three times a day after meals. If you are using this along with an antibiotic for a UTI, you should only take this for a maximum of 2 days.
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Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) reviews
GoodRx has partnered with to provide reviews on the different aspects of Phenazopyridine (Pyridium).
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 18 people taking this medication
3.9
Effectiveness by condition:
interstitial cystitis9 reviews
4.0
urinary tract infection9 reviews
3.8
Severity of side effects
Based on 23 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Orange colored urine
22%
Amber colored urine
5%
Dizziness and feeling faint
5%
Headaches
5%
Nausea if taken on empty stomach
5%
Reasons people stopped taking Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Based on 33 people who have taken this medication
Course of treatment ended
61%
Other
22%
Did not seem to work
7%
Doctor's advice
7%
Personal research
4%
Side effects too severe
4%
How long people take Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Based on 39 people who have taken this medication
0%
50%
100%
Interactions between Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) and other drugs
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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
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Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) 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 Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) will not be safe for you to take.
- People with severe kidney or liver problems
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