How Should I Take Azo Urinary Pain Relief
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take AZO Urinary Pain Relief after meals.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking AZO Urinary Pain Relief.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief will most likely darken the color of your urine to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not harmful. Darkened urine may also cause stains to your underwear that may be permanent.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief can also permanently stain soft contact lenses, and you should not wear them while taking this medicine.
Do not use AZO Urinary Pain Relief for longer than 2 days unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can cause unusual results with urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using AZO Urinary Pain Relief.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
- Save up to 80% on your prescriptions.
- Accepted at over 65,000 pharmacies.
Urinary Tract Infections And The Role Of Nonprescription Products
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of Pharmacy
Gabriel E. Pray, PharmD CandidateCollege of PharmacyWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm
For years, patients with urinary tract infections have asked pharmacists what they can take without seeing a physician.Several products promise relief of UTI symptoms and/or claim to have anantibacterial effect that inhibits progression of the infection, butthey are not proven safe and effective for any nonprescription use atpresent.
What Causes Interstitial Cystitis
The exact cause of interstitial cystitis is not clear. Unlike other types of cystitis, there’s no obvious infection in the bladder and antibiotics do not help.
In some people with the condition, the bladder is inflamed, ulcerated, scarred or stiff.
There are several theories about the possible cause of the condition.
These include:
- damage to the bladder lining, which may mean pee can irritate the bladder and surrounding muscles and nerves
- a problem with the pelvic floor muscles used to control peeing
- your immune system mistakenly attacking your bladder
- an allergic reaction
It’s also been suggested that interstitial cystitis may be a symptom of a more widespread problem, as it’s been associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome , irritable bowel syndrome and lupus.
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Are There Any Overactive Bladder Medications For Medicare
Solifenacin is an expensive drug used to treat overactive bladder. This drug is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. A generic version of Vesicare may become available in 2018. It is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
Medications for Urinary Tract Infection. Other names: Acute Bacterial Cystitis Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Cystitis, acute bacterial Infection, Urinary Tract UTI.
How Do I Know If The Treatment Isnt Working
If the treatment isnt working, your symptoms will stay the same, get worse, or you will develop new symptoms. Call your doctor if you have a fever , chills, lower stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.
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Azo Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength Tablets
Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is the active ingredient of this OTC medication for urinary pain, a chemical which, when excreted into the urine, has a local analgesic effect.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength Tablets, unfortunately, does nothing to fight the infection, but only masks the symptoms. Do not take it for longer than three days and dont take it if you have liver problems. If you cover up your symptoms, you might not notice that your UTI is getting worse.
Phenazopyridine is also responsible for the bright orange color of your urine, that indicates the medicine has reached your bladder.
Make sure to not wear white underwear or contact lenses , since this active ingredient can permanently discolor them.
Keep in mind that some animal studies demonstrate a possible link between phenazopyridine and cancer in female rats. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals according to National Toxicologyprogram report.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength Tablets contains 97.5 mg of Phenazopyridine per dose.
Do I Need To See A Doctor
Yes. Painful urination can be a symptom of a more serious problem. You should tell your doctor about your symptoms and how long youve had them. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes mellitus or AIDS, because these could affect your bodys response to infection. Tell your doctor about any known abnormality in your urinary tract, and if you are or might be pregnant. Tell your doctor if youve had any procedures or surgeries on your urinary tract. He or she also need to know if you were recently hospitalized or stayed in a nursing home.
If your doctor thinks your pain may be from vaginal inflammation, he or she may wipe the lining of your vagina with a swab to collect mucus. The mucus will be looked at under a microscope to see if it has yeast or other organisms. If your pain is from an infection in your urethra , your doctor may swab it to test for bacteria. If an infection cant be found, your doctor may suggest other tests.
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Are Pain Relievers Safe During Pregnancy
Studies suggest that acetaminophen is safer to take during pregnancy. Taking NSAIDs or opioids during early pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects.
If you had a cesarean section birth or a difficult labor and delivery, you may need pain relief. Let your provider know if you plan to breastfeed. Certain opioids are safer for nursing babies. OTC pain relievers are safe to use while nursing.
Supportive Therapies And Treatments
Some people also find the following therapies and supportive treatments helpful:
- physiotherapy massaging the pelvic floor muscles may help reduce any strain on your bladder
- bladder retraining where you gradually learn to be able to hold more pee in your bladder before needing to go to the toilet
- psychological therapy to help you cope with your symptoms and their impact on your life
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation where a small battery-operated device is used to relieve pain by sending electrical impulses into your body
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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Azo
You should not use phenazopyridine if you are allergic to it, or if you have kidney disease.
To make sure phenazopyridine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease
- diabetes or
- a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
FDA pregnancy category B. Phenazopyridine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether phenazopyridine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
When Your Child Has A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Children often get UTIs that affect the bladder. UTIs can be uncomfortable and painful. But with treatment, most children recover with no lasting effects.
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Herbal Supplements To Treat Oab
Various herbal supplements, available at many pharmacies or online, may help improve OAB symptoms. Though many have been used for years, there is little research to back the efficacy of these treatments. They include:
- Green tea extract: There are no human studies performed to date to prove green tea extracts work. However, a study on rats indicate that rats treated with green tea catechins had fewer bladder contractions than rats without the treatment when recovering from removal of ovaries as a treatment for bladder damage.
- Gosha-jinki-gan: A combination of 10 Asian herbs is said to reduce urinary frequency. A small study â 44 women in Japan â demonstrated this when taking 7.5 milligrams of this supplement for eight weeks. However, this study has yet to be replicated on a large scale.
- Buchu: A flowering plant that is native to South Africa, buchu supposedly heals a variety of medical conditions. There are no studies that indicate that buchu helps to ease OAB symptoms, but buchu tea is caffeine-free. Perhaps swapping buchu tea for coffee may ease symptoms as caffeine can exacerbate symptoms.
- Hachimi-jio-gan: Similar to gosha-jinki-gan, hachimi-jio-gan is a combination of Asian herbs. HE contains several of the same herbs as gosha-jinki-gan. A small-scale Japanese study performed on rats indicated that this supplement reduced bladder contractions prompted by acetylcholine.
While some of these may be helpful, you might able be wondering what herbs do not work.
Can I Develop Resistance To The Antibiotics Used To Treat Uti
Yes, the body can develop resistance to the antibiotics used to treat UTI. It occurs in people who have frequent infections. With each recurring infection, the bacteria become resistant and become harder to fight. Due to this, the physician may suggest alternative treatment in cases of frequent UTIs, which include
- Waiting: Sometimes, the physician may suggest watching the symptoms rather than treating them with medicines. The physician may encourage patients to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the infection from the system.
- Intravenous treatment: In severe cases, the bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics or the infection affects the kidneys and the patient needs to get admitted. Intravenous antibiotics treatment is done in these cases. After returning home, the patients will be prescribed oral antibiotics till the infection completely goes away.
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Can A Uti Be Treated Over The Counter
Effects. It pays to keep in mind that a urinary tract infection is a bacteria-caused infection, and that means the best medicine for UTI should be an antibiotic however, because antibiotics for UTI cant be purchased over the counter, its the second best choice to buy a product that promotes urinary tract health to fight off the infection.
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to phenazopyridine.
Phenazopyridine can interfere with laboratory tests, including urine tests for glucose and ketones. If you have diabetes, you should use Clinitest rather than Tes-Tape or Clinistix to test your urine for sugar. Urine tests for ketones may give false results. Before you have any tests, tell the laboratory personnel and doctor that you take this medication.
Phenazopyridine stains clothing and contact lenses. Avoid wearing contact lenses while taking this medicine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable.
If you still have symptoms after you finish the phenazopyridine, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Overactive Bladder Medication Over The Counter
When you are suffering from overactive bladder , it can be easy to run to the drugstore or your local supermarket to look for a quick solution. But does the easiest option mean it will be effective? In this article we will explore overactive bladder medication that is over the counter to see if it is an effective treatment option.
Over-the-counter overactive bladder medications are an easy option, but they might not work for everyone. Symptoms often vary between people, and depending on what you experience, speaking with a doctor and getting a prescription may be a better option.
When Should I Call The Doctor
You should call your healthcare provider if you are taking pain medicine and experience:
- Vision problems, including blurred vision or drooping eyelids.
- Numbness or paralysis in an untreated area.
- Severe stomach upset.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Pain relievers can bring a welcome break from aches and discomforts. You can find acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs in a lot of OTC products. These include medicines for allergies, colds and flu. Its important to read the labels to make sure you dont get too much of a pain medication. Many nonaddictive pain medicines are available for chronic pain. Your healthcare provider can work with you to find the right medicine to help you enjoy better, pain-free days.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/13/2021.
References
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What Should I Discuss With My Health Care Provider Before Taking Phenazopyridine
You should not use phenazopyridine if you are allergic to it, or if you have kidney disease.
To make sure phenazopyridine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- diabetes or
- a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
FDA pregnancy category B. Phenazopyridine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether phenazopyridine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Symptoms Of Interstitial Cystitis
The main symptoms of interstitial cystitis are:
- intense pelvic pain
- sudden strong urges to pee
- needing to pee more often than normal
- waking up several times during the night to go to the toilet
The pain may be worse when your bladder is full and may be temporarily relieved when you go to the toilet.
You might also find the pain is worse during periods or after having certain foods or drinks.
The symptoms will often come and go in phases. You may have episodes lasting days, weeks or months where your symptoms improve, followed by times when they’re worse.
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Can You Get Uti Antibiotics Over The Counter
Currently, no urinary tract infection antibiotics are available over the counter in the United States. A person must consult a doctor to get the UTI treated with an antibiotic. However, an OTC product called Uristat can be taken initially to
- Numb the bladder and urethra
- Ease the burning pain during the urination
This medication can be bought without a prescription from the pharmacy store. This product is not an antibiotic. Take phenazopyridine only for 48 hours, and be aware, it may cause the urine to turn brown, orange or red, which can stain a fabric or contact lens.
The Status Of Phenazopyridine
In 1983, the FDA published a Drug Efficacy StudyImplementation notice with conditions for approval and marketingof all phenazopyridine products.7 These includedsulfameth-oxazole/phenazopyridine combinations ,similar combination products, and single-entity phenazopyridineproducts. The FDA presented newlyrequired statements for all phenazopyridine products intended to relievesymptoms associated with a UTI. One of the statements was critical indetermining the length of dosing: Treatment of a urinary tractinfection with phenazopyridine HCl or a combination drug productcontaining phenazopyridine HCl should not exceed 2 days because there isa lack of evidence that the combined administration of phenazopyridineHCl and an antibacterial provides greater benefit than administration ofthe anti-bacterial alone after 2 days.7
The FDA also required the following carcinogenicitystatement on all phenazopyridine labels: Long-term administration ofphenazopyridine hydrochloride has induced neoplasia in rats and mice . Although no association betweenphenazopyridine hydrochloride and human neoplasia has been reported,adequate epidemiological studies along these lines have not beenconducted.7
The best known phenazopyridine nonprescription product is Azo Standard.9Azo Standard contains 95 mg of phenazopyridine per tablet and AzoStandard Maximum Strength contains 97.5 mg of phenazopyridine.10 The dosage of both is 2 tablets 3 times daily with or after meals as needed.
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How To Take Azo
Use Azo-Standard exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take phenazopyridine after meals.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking phenazopyridine.
Phenazopyridine will most likely darken the color of your urine to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not harmful. Darkened urine may also cause stains to your underwear that may be permanent.
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.
This medication can cause unusual results with urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using phenazopyridine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Im Pregnant How Will A Uti Affect My Baby
If you have a UTI and it isnt treated, it may lead to a kidney infection. Kidney infections may cause early labor. Fortunately, asymptomatic bacteriuria and bladder infections are usually found and treated before the kidneys become infected. If your doctor treats a urinary tract infection early and properly, it wont hurt your baby.
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