Do you also feel discomfort such as burning, pain, or difficulty urinating? Or do you often have difficulty urinating and then have difficulty passing urine? In such a situation, when we go to see a doctor, there may be a special medicine among the medicines that the doctor gives us. When you drink it, your urine turns a dark orange color, sometimes even red. Some people get scared after seeing this. That medicine, that is, Phenazopyridine, is what we are going to learn about in this article today.
What exactly is Phenazopyridine?
Simply put, it is a painkiller that reduces inflammation, pain, and discomfort in the urinary tract. It works by numbing the inner lining of the urinary tract, temporarily reducing the pain and inflammation we feel. It works like a doctor injecting a numbing medicine into your gums before extracting a tooth.
But here's something we all need to remember. Phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic. That is, this medicine will not cure a urinary tract infection (UTI). It only controls the symptoms caused by the infection. To cure the infection, you need to take the antibiotic medicine prescribed by your doctor for the full duration.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medication for you, it is very important to inform him of some facts about your health condition.
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney-related condition, be sure to tell your doctor.
- G6PD deficiency: You should also tell your doctor if you have a deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). This is a hereditary condition that some people have in their blood.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to phenazopyridine, any other medicine, food, or dyes used in clothing.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
How should I use the medicine?
Be aware of these points when using this medicine.
- Take this pill with a glass of water .
- It is best to take it after meals to reduce stomach upset.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the exact dose and time. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
- Even if you feel your symptoms have subsided, do not stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to.
- If you are giving this medicine to children, follow the doctor's instructions exactly, as special care is required.
What do you do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once just because you forgot.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
There are some important things you should be aware of while using this medication.
Change in urine color
The biggest and most common side effect of taking this medication is that your urine may turn a dark orange or red color . Don't be alarmed or scared by this. This is completely harmless and normal. Once you finish taking the medication, your urine color will return to normal within a day or two.
Be careful of stains.
Since urine changes color, it can stain your underwear. So it's a good idea to be a little careful about that. More importantly, if you wear soft contact lenses , it's best to avoid using them while taking this medication. Because the pigment in this medication can mix with your tears and permanently stain your contact lenses.
Special notice for diabetics
If you are diabetic, there is a possibility that a false positive result may occur if you test your urine for sugar while taking this medicine. Therefore, if you are taking this medicine, talk to your doctor about it and get advice.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, Phenazopyridine can cause side effects in some people. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Type of side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | Allergic reactions:
If you experience any of these, stop taking the medicine immediately and see a doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU). |
| Common, less serious side effects |
These are usually harmless, but if these symptoms persist or bother you, tell your doctor. |
Take-Home Message
- Please keep in mind that Phenazopyridine is a pain reliever that relieves symptoms such as pain and inflammation caused by urinary tract infections, but it is not an antibiotic that cures the infection.
- It is normal for your urine to turn dark orange or red while taking this medicine. Don't be alarmed by that.
- Be careful as this medicine may cause permanent stains on clothing and soft contact lenses .
- If you have kidney disease, G6PD deficiency, or any allergies, inform your doctor before taking the medication.
- If you experience any allergic symptoms, such as skin rash, swelling of the face or throat, seek medical attention immediately .
- Always take your medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, for the full duration of the prescribed period.
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