Pyridium

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

Indications

Pyridium is used to treat urinary symptoms such as pain or burning, increased urination, and increased urge to urinate. These symptoms can be caused by infection, injury, surgery, catheter, or other conditions that irritate the bladder. Pyridium will treat urinary symptoms, but this medication will not treat a urinary tract infection.. Take any antibiotic that your doctor prescribes to treat an infection.

How To Take

Use Pyridium 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 Pyridium after meals. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Pyridium. Pyridium 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.

Precaution

Do not take Pyridium if you are allergic to phenazopyridine, or if you have kidney disease. Pyridium 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 this medicine with food. Pyridium 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. Pyridium can also permanently stain soft contact lenses, and you should not wear them while taking this medicine. Do not use Pyridium for longer than 2 days unless your doctor has told you to.