How Should This Medicine Be Used
Phenazopyridine comes as a tablet or capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablets as it may cause your teeth to become stained swallow them whole with a full glass of water. You may stop taking this drug when pain and discomfort completely disappear. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenazopyridine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Read Also: Bard Urinary Drainage Bag With Anti Reflux Dome
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections And Kidney Infections
Urinary tract infections and kidney infections can generally be prevented through similar means.
If you suffer from any symptoms of a urinary tract or kidney infection, talk to your doctor immediately. The faster you act, the more effective the treatment.
If you experience any symptoms of urinary tract infection or kidney infection, call or book online with PlushCare to set up a phone or video appointment with a top U.S. doctor today.
Donât Miss: Can Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones
What Women Should Know
When it comes to self-diagnosis, Chapa advises women to be smart and use discretion. Many women are familiar with the symptoms of UTIs and yeast infections, but if you are unsure, you should contact your health care provider to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Additionally, although these two particular conditions are not sexually transmitted, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that all sexually active men and women under the age of 26 should be screened for sexually transmitted infections at least once a year.
At the very least, visiting your physician can help put your mind at ease. Its human nature to jump to worst-case scenario conclusions, Chapa said, but these infections are very common and treatable. The best course of action to relieve uncomfortable symptoms from each of these infections is to seek treatment as soon as symptoms arise.
Article written by Ava English
Christina Sumners
About bladder infections
Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection . They can develop when bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder.
The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of the body. Once bacteria go into the urethra, they can attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly.
The resulting infection can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as the sudden urge to urinate. It may also cause pain while urinating and abdominal cramping.
Here are seven effective bladder infection remedies.
You May Like: Is Bactrim Good For Tooth Infection
Can I Treat Uti Symptoms With Over The Counter Medicines
Weve already talked about the most common UTI symptoms, but what can you actually do about them?
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are OTC pain relievers that could help ease some of the pain and discomfort UTIs can cause. Phenazopyridine is another pain reliever that could help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Some forms of phenazopyridine are OTC while others require a prescription.
Editorial Sources And Fact
Read Also: How Did I Get A Uti Infection
Can A Uti Go Away On Its Own
While most patients with a UTI will be prescribed antibiotics, the truth is, uncomplicated urinary tract infections are often self-limiting, meaning they can potentially run their course sans antibiotic treatment, noted a 2018 report in PLoS Medicine.
In fact, that same report found that more than one-half of the women studied experienced a UTI resolution without the use antibiotics. However, since kidney infections occurred in 7 out of 181 women using ibuprofen, the researchers concluded that, at this time, they cannot recommend ibuprofen alone as initial treatment to women with uncomplicated UTIs.
A better idea, for now: Simply wait until a positive urine culture comes back before treating with antibiotics.
Azo Urinary Tract Defense
This is a new AZO product. It is an analgesic and an antibacterial that can help control the progression of a UTI until you see a doctor or a healthcare professional. It contains the active ingredients methenamine and sodium salicylate, which is an NSAID. It provides temporary relief when it comes to urinary urgency or frequency and burning or painful sensations while urinating.
Methenamine is said to be a powerful antibacterial agent that can help slow down the growth of bacteria along the urinary tract lining. It also helps control the infection. The other ingredient called sodium salicylate helps in providing relief from pain.
Don’t Miss: Will Oil Of Oregano Kill Tooth Infection
Leaving Uti Anxiety Behind
Out of fear, leftover antibiotics had become a permanent feature in my bag. If I changed bags, the antibiotics came with me. I never opened them, but they were my psychological backup.
Around the nine month mark I made the momentous decision to leave the antibiotics behind. It might sound overly dramatic, but tearing up your safety blanket and tossing it to the wind IS huge. I hadnt taken antibiotics in nine months, but I still relied on their presence, psychologically speaking.
When I embarked on my healing regimen, I envisioned massive celebrations at the one year mark, for I would then be officially free of recurrent urinary tract infections. In reality, I had put UTIs so far behind me that it was almost a non-event.
I did have some celebratory drinks, with an emphasis on the fact I COULD drink alcohol without fearing a UTI.
How Should I Take Azo Urinary Pain Relief
Use 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 AZO Urinary Pain Relief after meals.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking AZO Urinary Pain Relief.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief 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.
AZO Urinary Pain Relief can also permanently stain soft contact lenses, and you should not wear them while taking this medicine.
Do not use AZO Urinary Pain Relief for longer than 2 days unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can cause unusual results with urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using AZO Urinary Pain Relief.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Recommended Reading: Is It Safe To Fly With A Sinus Infection
For Urinary Tract Infections
Since three of the most common causes of kidney discomfort occur in the urinary tract, here are some remedies to relieve pain in the kidneys related to the urinary tract:
1. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to relieving pain in the kidneys since water will help flush bacteria out of the body. Plus, staying hydrated will help clear out the urinary tract as a whole and work to eliminate any possible infections.
Many specialists recommend the 8×8 rule, meaning you should drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day. However, water intake is highly dependant on you and your health, so take this article into consideration when determining your daily amount of water intake.
2. Drink Cranberry Juice
While not scientifically proven, cranberry juice is known to be a remedy for urinary tract infections. If you choose to alternate between cranberry juice and water, be sure to choose a cranberry juice that isnt packed full of additional sweeteners. A cranberry supplement or pure cranberry juice is always the best way to go!
3. Take Probiotics
Its no secret that probiotics are beneficial for you, especially when it comes to fighting bacteria and kidney pain. Studies show that probiotics can improve kidney function and assist in processing waste too.
4. Drink Parsley Juice
You can also mix parsley into a smoothie to make drinking it more bearable. Check out these recipes for inspiration!
5. Take a Warm Epsom Salt Bath
6. Apply Heat
7. Use Non-Aspirin Pain Killers
Azo Urinary Pain Relief Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using AZO Urinary Pain Relief and call your doctor at once if you have:
-
little or no urinating
-
confusion, loss of appetite, pain in your side or lower back
-
fever, pale or yellowed skin, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting or
-
blue or purple appearance of your skin.
Common side effects may include:
Also Check: Epsom Salt Bath For Bladder Infection
Recommended Reading: Can A Yeast Infection Resolve On Its Own
What Causes The Infection
The E. coli bacteria cause UTIs in 85% of cases, with other bacteria making up the remaining 15%. There are several reasons bacteria enter the urinary system. These include pregnancy, menopause, and sexual intercourse. Urinary catheters invite bacteria into the urethra and bring a high risk of a UTI. Other reasons include bladder stones and urinary tract malformation.
Recommended Reading: Can A Bladder Sling Be Removed
How Standard Uti Testing Failed Me
I started researching and bringing information to my doctor about other organisms I wanted to test my urine for. He was happy to comply. He didnt know what else to do to help me. Significantly though, he did believe that I had an infection.
Still the results were unhelpful. Specific organisms were not found. But other signs of infection were.
I was completely uninformed about testing, and why it wasnt helping me figure this out.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Hindsight Tip #2:
Ive since learned that standard UTI testing is very inaccurate. Many studies have proven that standard urine culturing techniques fail to identify infection in at least 50% of cases.
If you have received inconclusive or negative test results despite your symptoms, or if your treatment does not seem to work as it should, inaccurate testing could be the issue.
I encourage you to learn more about this issue, so you can take control of the situation and seek better care.
There are 7 main reasons your UTI test results could be wrong, and Ive laid all these out for you , along with what you can do about it.
Don’t Miss: Where To Get Antibiotics For Sinus Infection
Treatment For Uti Symptoms
AZO Urinary Pain Relief® and AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength dont just treat your urinary pain like any ordinary pain. They work to relieve your UTI symptoms fast, so you dont have to miss a thing!1 Theres just one catchone of the key ingredients in AZO Urinary Pain Relief®, responsible for relieving your UTI symptoms so quickly, is also known to dye urine and fabrics orange.2 This key ingredient is called Phenazopyridine hydrochloride.
Recommended Reading: Instant Relief For Urinary Tract Infection
What Are Ureteral Stents
A ureteral stent is a thin, long tube that is placed inside your urinary tract. They are usually plastic although longer term metallic stents also exist. A ureteral stent has two curls at each end to hold it in place. The stent runs from the kidney, down the entire length of the ureter, and into your bladder.
Ureteral stents are typically placed for 2 reasons:
With a ureteral stent in place, urine is able to flow from the kidney both through and around the stent which acts as a bypass around the obstruction. This keeps your kidney healthy because a blocked kidney is a sad kidney. The reason a kidney stone hurts so bad is that the kidney is blocked, and the plumbing system is distended. A stent solves this problem.
But, ureteral stents hurt as well. So . . .
Recommended Reading: What Should I Do For Urine Infection
What Can I Take To Relieve Pain
Phenazopyridine hydrochloride may relieve your pain, burning, itching, and urgency to urinate within 20 minutes. Avoid taking it if you have kidney disease or are allergic to dyes. Do not worry if your urine turns reddish-orange when you take this medication. This common effect is not harmful, but it can stain clothing.
Methenamine and sodium salicylate work together to slow bacterial growth along the urinary tract and to control the UTI. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, are on a low-sodium diet or anticoagulant therapy, or have stomach problems.
You can also take other pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen .
Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits
Preventing UTIs starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, its important not to hold your urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.
Peeing after sexual intercourse can also of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria.
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs.
Finally, when using the toilet especially if you have a female urethra make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.
Benefits of healthy hygiene for UTI
Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.
Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.
Here are a few supplements that have been studied and are all available in capsule form:
- D-Mannose.D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
- Cranberry extract. Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
- Garlic extract. shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties, so they it may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.
Read Also: Best Relief For Tooth Infection
How Do You Prevent A Bladder Infection
People who have recurrent bladder infections may be able to prevent them in some cases:
- Drink more fluids
- Urinate right after intercourse
- It is believed this will help flush out germs that can enter the bladder. There is no evidence this prevents bladder infections but it is not harmful.
Preventive antibiotics or antibiotics taken following intercourse, as recommended by your doctor
Cranberry juice, cranberry tablets, and a supplement called D-mannose have been promoted to help prevent frequent bladder infections but there are no studies that show these products are effective. However, use of these products probably is not harmful. Tell your doctor before taking any supplements.
Read Also: Antibiotics For Infected Cartilage Piercing
Azo Yeast Plus Overview
AZO Yeast Plus is a multi-benefit dietary supplement, which is used to relieve vaginal and yeast infection symptoms.
It is a homeopathic medicine that supports the bodys defense system and healing process. It contains all natural ingredients.
The usual symptoms that arise include irritation, odor, swelling, and discharge.
This product contains a dual action formula in one tablet that delivers relief and prevention of yeast infection symptoms.
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
This medicine is lactose-free, hence reducing the chances of yeast infection arising. It is taken orally, three times a day as long as the symptoms persist.
The use of this medicine should start, only if there has been a complete diagnosis done to confirm the presence of vaginal yeast infection by a doctor.
If breastfeeding or pregnant, they should consult a health care provider first before using this product.
Antifungal vaginal creams, ointments, and suppositories can be used alongside this product. To prevent future occurrences, the user should take one tablet per day regularly.
This product provides relief from itching and burning sensations caused by vaginal yeast infections.
It also works in fighting off occasional odor and discharge caused by vaginal yeast infections.
Don’t Miss: Z Pack Antibiotic For Ear Infection