Cystex vs. Uristat?

[RedLione]

When I was buying Uristat yesterday, I noticed Cystex on the shelf. It has different active ingredients than Uristat, and I was wondering if anyone here has tried it. It says it relieves urgency and burning, and that it is antibacterial, with an analgesic in it. Considering the ingredients, it might even be possible to take both. Because I don't recall seeing anyone here mention it, there must be a very good reason!

[Katrina]

I hope someone here can help you.

[classics]

I have Cystex in my medicine cabinet. I tried it when I first thought I had a bladder infection. It didn't help me.

[VickiB]

Before I was diagnosed with IC, I thought I surely had some type of ongoing bladder infection which didn't show up in the urinalysis the doctor's did. I saw cystex in the store and tried it, because unlike the others with analgesic, it also claimed to have anti-bacterial properties. Anyway, it didn't do a lick of good at easing the pain for me. But then, Uristat doesn't seem to help me either.

Vicki

[emilyrose197377]

I tried cystex it did not help me that much so I bought some uristat and it is helping me better than the cystex.

[Janie Miranda]

I used to use Cystex all the time when my symptoms were milder and it worked really well for me then. After I got worse I developed an intolerance for a lot of meds and then it didn't work for me anymore.

[Katrina]

Active Ingredients
Methenamine 162 mg in each Tablet , Sodium Salicylate 162.5 mg in each Tablet
Ingredients
Benzoic Acid , Cellulose , Croscarmellose Sodium , Edible Black Ink , FD&C Red No. 40 Lake , FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake , Hydroxypropyl Cellulose , Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose , Magnesium Stearate , Methacrylic Acid-Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer , Silica , Stearic Acid , Titanium Dioxide , Triethyl Citrate

Well I did some research...not much but I copied the ingrediants.....I learned so far that it is being labeled anti bacterial and analgesic but looks like some of the non active ingredients are kinds of acid and the color red which I hear bothers some icers...I guess I proceed with cation about trying it. With the Methanamine it can help with infections and Sodium Salicylate (Aspirin) can possibly help pain but can also hurt more. I wouldn't choose it for IC.

[TLC]

It won't hurt to try it. I tried it last year. It didnt work for me either. Uristat works better for me. But you may be different and it wont hurt to try. I hope you feel better soon!!! Lots of Love , Lee

[maggielou]

cystex contains an ingredient that could possibly cause damage to the lining of your stomach. The stuff called uristat works well for pain relief, I take it daily in conjunction with Elmiron for my IC. The cheaper brand is AZO, is exactly the same as uristat and has longer lasting effect than cystex. Think that cystex only works for people with regular UTI, not chronic IC sufferers. Dont waste your money. I took it frequently for what I thought was UTI until it pretty much just didnt do anything for me after a while, then was diagnosed with IC. If you do have IC, see your uro for Elmiron and check algonot.com for cystoprotek. It has changed my life. good luck.... :)

[Katrina]

I agree AZO has worked for me many times.....and with some of the ingrediants looking like they could cause a flare cystex just is something I would avoid unless apsalutely necessary. :grouphug:

[purpleviolet]

Hi - Cystex didn't do much for me and guess what . I researched it for UTI and in order for it to work u must take a lot of Vit c or acidify your urine first and that would be a no-no for many of us.

[Katrina]

Thanks for the info purpleviolet....definatly correct....a HUGE NO NO FOR MOST OF US!
Very glad you shared that! Thanks!
Hi - Cystex didn't do much for me and guess what . I researched it for UTI and in order for it to work u must take a lot of Vit c or acidify your urine first and that would be a no-no for many of us.

[Janie Miranda]

is urastat like pyriddium?

[SandyRN]

is urastat like pyriddium?

Yes, same thing :)

[Janie Miranda]

thanks sandy!

[Katrina]

Same drug in non presciption form.

[RSBS76]

Is Uristat and Cystex supposed to cure UTIs? Or just prevent them? I have a habit of getting them, sexual activity or not, and I'm getting annoyed that I have to deal with them so often. I drink a lot of water. I take cranberry in as much as possible. Any help would be nice!! Thank you. B

[purpleviolet]

Cystex - you mean those over the counter red pills with an anti-septic in them? (Not to be confused with pyridium which are small and dark red). Don't know if that would really cure an infection and supposedly needs the urine to be acidified (like with Vit C). Didn't do much for me.

[Katrina]

:welcome: to the ICN!
RSBS76, Neither is very good if you have a UTI. Uristat only treats symptoms...doesn't really do much for the bacteria at all. Cystex is less likely to help with uti than cranberry but may be more easy to tollerate if you have IC.

Have you been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystits or Chronic Cystitis? Do you get tested for each infection? When they test you do the do a culture? Do you feel that you have a UTI every month? What symptoms of a UTI do you have?

:welcome: to the ICN and please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.

[RSBS76]

Thanks Purple and Katrina.

I have about 6 or 7 Utis a year, and they treat me with Cipro which takes care of the issue within a couple of days. I just had one a month ago, or so, and this is not common for me to get them this often. I have typical Uti symptoms, such as the frequent feeling of having to urinate, and when I do it may be a very small amount and has the inside burning sensation. I get tired. I'm not sure what all they test for but when I go to the doctor (I have a 10am appointment Tuesday morning...Happy Birthday to me, right?!) they have me urinate in a cup and conduct a test that takes all of 2 or 3 minutes.

Any advice or suggestions that I can mention to my doctor before they do the test? I am going to ask about preventatives. I take cranberry pills which don't seem to help that much, and I take regular vitamins and drink juice every morning. You'd think that cause me to be acidic enough to cleanse out the bacteria.

Thanks for your help!!

Becky

[Katrina]

I strongly suggest you ask for a culture to be done. You can get faulse possitive results from a dipstick (something that takes 2 or 3 minutes) If that is happening you could have something other than frequent UTI's and the sooner you treat things like that the better. (Don't mean to scare you but that has happened to a lot of us)

If it turns out that you are having UTI's you may want to test your urine's PH. What does it look like? Since you are drinking a lot of water that may lesson the acidicness of your urine. It is helpful in cleaning you out and lessoning the chance of infection but it normally lessons how much acid is in your urine.

How long have you been getting frequent UTI's?

FYI: Blood and white blood sells in urine are common for patients with Interstitial Cystitis. They can be there without you having an infection.
You may want to do a search on this board of treatment for UTI....many of our members have frequent UTI's and IC.

I hope your Birthday is better than you expect. I hope you find a way to have relief.

I am subscribed to this board so I will be sure to be reading any questions you have. :grouphug:

[Bromwynn]

I have had this week the worst flare I've had in months. been taking azo, and prelief, drinking lots of water and watching diet and getting sleep when and where ever I can. I've also been taking cystex which in the past has always been a help, but I noticed, this week especially, the more acidiy my pee was the less it seemed to help. SO, my husband just ran down to the local grocery store and found Uriacalm, that according to the pharmacist is a generic form of uristat. and fyi in case its important uriacalm has some cranberry in it. so cross your toes, fingers, arms and legs, possibly even eyes if you can and knock on wood - I just did- that this new product will help. I'll keep you informed if tonight and tomorrow become the nightmare that was this last week.


:pray: wishing you all a pain free nights sleep,

bromwynn

[flowerangela]

i saw some of this in the drug store the other day and was tempted to buy it.glad i read this post. ive decided not to buy it due to the ingredients listed that arent ic friendly. thanx.

[purpleviolet]

I've said this before - that OTC cystex is a subset of the ingredients in the prescription Prosed/ds ( I think it has other names like uribel, too). Anyway the difference is it makes your urine blue from one ingredient and also has a anti-spasm ingredient. It helps me and others and so even though your urine is acid from it too it helps. Figure that!