What is Pyridium?
Pyridium, an effective pain reliever, influences the urethra and bladder decreasing pain that occurs in the lower part of the urinary tract. Phenazopyridine is widely used to decrease pain, urination disorders and burning that occurred as a result of infection, catheter, surgery and other impairments of lower urinary tract. Keep in mind that the treatment is used to eliminate the symptoms of urinary tract infections, though it will not treat the overall condition. Continue using the prescribed antibiotic to improve the general condition and take Pyridium to accelerate the effect. Additionally, the drug can be administered off-label in other instances. Obligatory consult your doctor before the drug intake.
Pyridium treatment course should be started with doctor’s consultation. It is important to follow the prescribed dose and adjusted directions. Never use the treatment in larger or smaller doses. Do not prolong the medication course to prevent possible side effects and complications.
Taking Pyridium, a patient should be rather cautious, since the medication may interact with certain medical conditions. The treatment course should never be started by people, allergic to Phenazopyridine or other ingredients of the medication. Additionally, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the medication use. The drug can worsen the kidney problems, so patients with any kidney disorders are also contraindicated for Pyridium use.
Being a generally safe medication, Pyridium can trigger undesirable reactions if misused. Numerous complications caused by drug interactions have been previously reported. Provide the doctor with a full list of pharmaceuticals you are using to avoid undesirable combinations. The medication can also interfere in laboratory tests, changing their results. Tell your doctor about Pyridium you are administering.
If you have noticed any abnormalities or unwanted reactions after Pyridium intake, you should immediately call your doctor and report the complication. The most dangerous side effects from Pyridium use are allergic reactions, jaundice, sudden weight gain, breathing disorders, mood changes, severe nausea, vomiting and other stomach disorders.
Recommendations for Use
Take Pyridium in the exact dose adjusted by a qualified doctor. Each pill should be administered with water, with or without food. The active ingredients of the medication are likely to impact your urination, changing the urine color to red or orange. It is a usual reaction of the organism to the treatment, so it is not a reason for concern. An average Pyridium course lasts only two days, while a longer therapy can only be recommended by the doctor. The medication can change the results of your ketone and glucose urine tests. Warn your doctor about Pyridium treatment course before you take any medical tests. Once you have missed the dose, you can use it the first possible moment or skip it in case the next one will be administered soon. However, never increase or double the dose to avoid dangerous symptoms of Pyridium overuse.
Precautions and Contraindications
Provide your doctor with detailed information about your overall health condition. Mention all the diseases, dysfunctions and disorders, especially glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), diabetes, liver diseases and others. The active component of the treatment may affect the health of an unborn or nursing child, so it should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Drug Interactions
Side Effects