Phenazopyridine for urinary symptoms

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
phenazopyridine	Azo-Gesic, Azo-Standard, Baridium, Eridium, Phenazo, Prodium, Pyridiate, Pyridium, Re-Azo, Urinary Analgesic, Urodol, Urogesic, Viridium

How It Works

Phenazopyridine is a pain reliever (analgesic) for the urinary tract. It comes in tablet form that you take by mouth (orally).

Why It Is Used

Phenazopyridine relieves urinary symptoms such as pain, burning, or the frequent need to urinate caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs), catheters, or injury or surgery to the area.

How Well It Works

Phenazopyridine provides short-term relief of urinary tract symptoms. However, it does not eliminate the cause of symptoms, such as bacterial infection.

Side Effects

Side effects of phenazopyridine include:

• Headache.
• Rash and itching, sometimes with blisters.
• Mild nausea and diarrhea.
• Orange or red urine. The discoloration is temporary and harmless, but it can stain clothing and towels. Other body fluids may be discolored as well; some people have reported staining of their contact lenses.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Do not take phenazopyridine for more than 2 days unless your doctor has instructed you to do so.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: June 15, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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