Pyridium is a pain reliever that affects the lower part of your urinary tract (bladder and urethra).
Pyridium is used to treat pain, burning, increased urination, and increased urge to urinate. These symptoms are usually caused by infection, injury, surgery, catheter, or other conditions that irritate the lower urinary tract.
Pyridium will treat the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but this medication does not treat the actual infection. Take the antibiotic that your doctor prescribes to treat your infection.
Pyridium may also be used for purposes other than those listed.
Important information
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 Pyridium 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.
Stop taking Pyridium and call your doctor at once if you have pale skin, fever, confusion, yellowing of your skin or eyes, increased thirst, swelling, or if you urinate less than usual or not at all.
Before taking this medicine
Do not take Pyridium if you are allergic to phenazopyridine, or if you have kidney disease.
Before using Pyridium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Pyridium, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. Pyridium is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Pyridium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Pyridium without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Pyridium?
Take Pyridium exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. To avoid stomach upset, take Pyridium 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.
Pyridium can cause you to have false results with glucose or ketone urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Pyridium.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include yellowed skin, fever, confusion, weakness, urinating less than usual, nausea, vomiting, swelling, numbness, or blue-colored skin.
What should I avoid?
Avoid wearing soft contact lenses while you are taking Pyridium. The medication can cause permanent staining of soft contact lenses.
Pyridium side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Pyridium and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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pale skin, fever, confusion or weakness;
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jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
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swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
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blue or purple coloring in your skin.
Less serious side effects of Pyridium may include:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Pyridium?
There may be other drugs that can affect Pyridium. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
