Brand Names: Azo-Gesic, Azo-Standard, Baridium, Phenazo, Prodium, Pyridiate, Pyridium, Re-Azo, Uricalm, Uristat

Generic Name: phenazopyridine (Pronunciation: fen AY zoe PIR i deen)

• What is phenazopyridine (Pyridium)?
• What are the possible side effects of phenazopyridine?
• What is the most important information I should know about phenazopyridine?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking phenazopyridine?
• How should I take phenazopyridine?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking phenazopyridine?
• What other drugs will affect phenazopyridine?
• Where can I get more information?

What is phenazopyridine (Pyridium)?

Phenazopyridine is a pain reliever that affects the lower part of your urinary tract (bladder and urethra).

Phenazopyridine is used to treat pain, burning, increased urination, and increased urge to urinate. These symptoms are usually caused by infection, injury, surgery, catheter, or other conditions that irritate the lower urinary tract.

Phenazopyridine will treat the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but this medication does not treat the actual infection. Take any antibiotic that your doctor prescribes to treat your infection.

Phenazopyridine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Phenazopyridine 100 mg-GG

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Phenazopyridine 200 mg-GG

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Phenazopyridine 200 mg-QUA

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What are the possible side effects of phenazopyridine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using phenazopyridine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pale skin, fever, confusion or weakness;
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
• blue or purple coloring in your skin.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• stomach pain, upset stomach; or
• skin itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Pyridium (phenazopyridine) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about phenazopyridine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to phenazopyridine, or if you have kidney disease.

Phenazopyridine will treat the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but this medication does not treat the actual infection. Take any antibiotic that your doctor prescribes to treat your infection.

To avoid stomach upset, take phenazopyridine with food.

Phenazopyridine will most likely darken the color of your urine to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not cause for alarm unless you have other symptoms such as pale or yellowed skin, fever, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Darkened urine may also cause stains to your underwear, which may or may not be removed by laundering.

Phenazopyridine can also permanently stain soft contact lenses, and you should not wear them while taking this medicine.

Do not use phenazopyridine for longer than 2 days unless your doctor has told you to.

Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have pale skin, fever, confusion, yellowing of your skin or eyes, increased thirst, swelling, or if you urinate less than usual or not at all.