Navigation

phenazopyridine (Azo Standard, Pyridium, Prodium, Pyridiate, Baridium, Uricalm, Urodine, UTI Relief)

 

Classes: Analgesics, Urinary

Dosing and uses of Azo Standard, Pyridium (phenazopyridine)

 

Adult dosage forms and strengths

tablets

  • 95mg
  • 97.2mg
  • 100mg
  • 200mg

 

Dysuria, Irritation of Lower Urinary Tract Mucosa

100-200 mg PO after meals three times daily

Dosing considerations

  • When used concomitantly with antibiotic for UTI, do not use for longer than 2 days
  • Limit dosing in geriatric population due to decreased renal function

 

Administration

Give after food/meals to minimize GI side effects

 

Pediatric dosage forms and strengths

tablets

  • 95mg
  • 97.2mg
  • 100mg
  • 200mg

 

Dysuria, Irritation of Lower Urinary Tract Mucosa

<6 years: Safety and efficacy not established

6-12 years: 12 mg/kg/day PO after meals, divided q8hr

>12 years: 100-200 mg PO after meals three times daily

Dosing considerations

  • When used concomitantly with antibiotic for UTI, do not use for longer than 2 days

 

Administration

Give after food/meals to minimize GI side effects

 

Azo Standard, Pyridium (phenazopyridine) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined (Rare)

Headache

Vertigo

Rash

Pruritus

Mild GI disturbances

Methemoglobinemia

Hemolytic anemia

Skin pigmentation

Transient ARF

Renal calculi

Staining of contact lenses

Hepatic/renal toxicity

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Renal impairment (CrCl <50mL/min)

 

Cautions

Changes urine color; may affect UA based on spectrometry or color reactions

May stain contact lenses

Discontinue if yellowish color of skin or sclera, as this is an indication of drug accumulation due to renal failure; monitor geriatric patients due to greater risk

Self-medication should not continue >2 days; if pain persists, consult physician

Intended as analgesic, not for treatment of UTI

Use caution in patients with G6PD deficiency; hemolytic anemia may occur in the setting of chronic overdose

Not for treatment of urinary inferction; acts only as analgesic

Discontinue over the counter use if symptoms last more than 2 days or adverse effects occur

May stain fiber or clothing

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: B

Lactation: Not known if excreted in breast milk; exercise caution

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Azo Standard, Pyridium (phenazopyridine)

Mechanism of action

Azo dye; acts directly on urinary tract mucosa when excreted, to produce local analgesic effect

 

Metabolism

Metabolized by liver

 

Elimination

Excretion

  • Urine: Eliminated mainly through rapid excretion by kidneys (65% unchanged)
  • Feces: Minor amount