Phenazopyridine belongs to the class of medications called urinary tract analgesics. It is used for the relief of burning, pain, frequent urge to urinate, and other discomforts associated with irritation or infection of the urinary tract. It is not an antibiotic and therefore will not cure an infection. Phenazopyridine may be used at the same time as an antibiotic.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual adult dose of phenazopyridine is 200 mg (2 x 100 mg tablets) taken 3 times daily, after meals to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Phenazopyridine should not be used for more than 2 days. If the symptoms do not improve within this time or worsen at any time, talk to your doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

100 mg
Each light brown, round, biconvex, coated tablet contains 100 mg of phenazopyridine HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized corn starch, arabic gum, magnesium stearate, Aerosil 200, and sodium carboxymethyl starch; coating: Opaglos® NA-7150, isopropylic alcohol, talc, calcium carbonate, purified water, saccharose, Sicovit® Brown 75, Opaglos® 6000 Off-White.

Do not take phenazopyridine if you:

• are allergic to phenazopyridine or any ingredients of the medication
• have reduced kidney function
• have liver disease

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• diarrhea
• headache
• itching of the skin
• nausea
• orange or red colour of the urine or feces
• staining of contact lenses (orange or red)
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blurred vision or other vision changes
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe headaches or a stiff neck
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., chills, fever, muscle pain or other flu-like symptoms; shortness of breath, tightness in chest, wheezing, or troubled breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.

Discoloration of body fluids: Phenazopyridine produces an orange-to-red colour in the urine and feces, and may cause staining. Phenazopyridine may cause discoloration of other body fluids and staining of contact lenses has been reported.

If the medication has been broken or held in the mouth before swallowing, it may cause tooth discoloration. If your skin or eyes turn a yellowish colour, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Laboratory tests: This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests. If you are having lab tests done, make sure your doctor knows that you take this medication.

Length of treatment: Take phenazopyridine for only 2 days. If symptoms persist beyond 2 days, contact your doctor.

Medical conditions: If you have an inherited condition called G-6-PD deficiency, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Yellowing of the skin or eyes: A change in skin colour or discoloration of the whites of the eyes is an indication that phenazopyridine may be building up in the body. This can happen as a result of decreased kidney function or having taken this medication longer than the recommended 2 days. If you experience discoloration of the skin or eyes, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if phenazopyridine passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for seniors.

There may be an interaction between phenazopyridine and any of the following:

• topical anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, prilocaine, procainamide)
• ciprofloxacin
• dapsone (topical)
• nitric oxide

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.