Pyridium and Pyridium Plus

[Goldfinch]

Pyridium is the brand name given to the drug Phenazopyridine hydrochloride. It is obtainable as a generic by script and also over the counter. OTC it is marketed under various names such as Uristat or Azo standard. Some drugstores have their own brand. The otc brands are typically sold as 95 mg tabs, and the suggested dose is 2 tabs no more than 3 x day. When prescribed by a doctor, the tabs will usually be 200mg each. Phenazopyridine is a dye that works as a painkiller, or anaesthetic. It will turn your urine an intense yellow or orange.

Pyridium Plus is by script only, and contains 2 ingredients in addition to the phenazopyridine: Hyoscyamine sulfate, an anti-spasmodic, and Butabarbitol sodium, a sedative.

Phenazopyridine usually acts very fast; most people say within a few hours. It is most effective for symptoms that are caused by a UTI or mimic a UTI, such as frequency, urgency, stinging or burning. It is used mainly for short-term relief, or as your doctor prescribes. If you buy it over the counter at a drugstore, make sure to follow the direx on the box.

I'm neither a doctor nor a pharmacist, and all this info is readily available on line. If I got any of it wrong, feel free to correct!

[Briza]

I use the 200 mg tabs generic Rx Pyridium as needed and sparingly. It works for me very well. I recently read a post by another member that her dr prescribed her 100mg tabs of Pyridium....I didn't know that it was available in 100 mg tabs but I am going to ask my dr to Rx it that way next time I need a refill...I would like to see if I can get the same good relief with 100mg tabs...I would like to use lowest effective dose possible, so will see how that goes.

I am also going to ask for an rx of just regular hyoscyamine (smooth muscle relaxer/antispasmodic) to see how that works for me. I would be great if that would work for me as well as Pyridium does...minus the orange pee;) or possibly in addition to Pyridium when needed.

[bjt]

I've been using the 100mg pyridium tablets. I've decided I'm happy about the smaller dosage because I can use one or two depending on my pain level. I have used pyridium off and on for many years (I've had IC for about 20 years) and its the thing that helps more than anything for flares & pain!

I recently asked my dr about pyridium plus and he said it was no longer on the market, and he hasn't been able to get a hold of it. is that true? anyone else currently using pyridium plus?

[Tammmy]

I use Pyridium Plus very occasionally. I sure hope they have not taken it off the market. My doc was hesitant to give it to me because it is addictive so I am very careful not to use it unless nessesary. The drugstore did have to order it for me.
Tammy

[Briza]

I use Pyridium Plus very occasionally. I sure hope they have not taken it off the market. My doc was hesitant to give it to me because it is addictive so I am very careful not to use it unless nessesary. The drugstore did have to order it for me.
Tammy

Tammy,
Hello :hi:
Wow, this is the first time that I have EVER heard that Pyridium/Pyridium Plus is addictive. I have never heard that before so I hope that others will respond. I take regular Pyridium sparingly and with caution....but not because it is addictive but because of warnings by my drs and pharmacists about possible liver and kidney problems associated with longterm, RTC, daily use. This is a new one to me!! I do not mean to dismiss what your dr said as to it being addictive.....but I find it very hard to believe!!!! If it works well for you you might want to consult with a good reputable pharmacist...I just do not believe that it is addictive or habit forming...I have been on this board for some years now and have never heard such a thing about this med:confused: Hopefully others will respond with their own experiences with this med. Take care!

[Tammmy]

Pyridium is not addictive it is an ingredient in the pyridium plus the way I understood it. Sorry if I was confusing.
Tammmy

[Daisy Mae]

I have been taking pyridium plus on a very regular basis for years. Over the past few months I've had a flare that's been gradually building until ignoring it finally wasn't gonna cut it. (now I'm back in dmso for 6 weeks).
I would venture to say I take 3 pyr. + a day, and really that's the only way I've been able to keep functioning.
As for the addictive properties, pyridium itself shouldn't be addictive, but the butabarbital in it is a mild barditurate and can be addictive. I'm at work right now at the nurses' station and believe it or not can't find anything of value in the drug guide regarding the combination and dosage of the components of the plus. I even have a copy of the nurses' version of PDR and still nothing.
I have an admission coming to my hall so I'll be talking to a pharmacist in a little while and if I find anything out I'll be glad to post it.
It sure is hard to balance what we need with what's safe.

[Briza]

.
It sure is hard to balance what we need with what's safe.

It certainly is! Thanks for your input about the Pyridium Plus..please post whatever you find out about the Pyrdium Plus from the pharmacist...would be much welcome! And thank you for expaining about the butabarbital...I was not aware of that.
Oh, BTW, is Pyridium Plus available as a generic or only brand name? I know it is available only by Rx.

[Goldfinch]

If you didn't want the Butabarbitol (the sedative) but wanted the antispasmodic properties of the Hyoscyamine that's in Pyridium Plus I suppose you could simply buy otc Azo and then get a script for the Hyoscyamine, which is inexpensive from what I have read.

Or you could get your doc to write you a script for the Phenazopyridine as well (that's all that's in the otc brands.) On my health plan it is actually cheaper to get a script (since it's a generic) than buy it otc.

[Briza]

Yep, that is what I am planning, Goldy! I have already emailed my dr about hyoscyamine and will discuss it with him at my next appoint...not til July, but b/c of new job need to make it thru the probationary period before I even try to ask for just a half day off to see dr. Regular pyridum or Uristat work just great for me, and I use it sparingly. But I would definitley like to try hyoscyamine to see if that alone might help with some of my symptoms, alone/instead of or along with Pyridium. Spasms and pressure in particular.

[Chellethinques]

What is the danger of using Pyridium more frequently than suggested? It's pretty much my lifeline to a normal life 2-3 days a month right now. I buy the OTC kind, and take one pill instead of two, because that does work for me. I stretch out the doses (i.e. one every 12 hours, if that works, instead of 2 every 4-6) to the minimum amount that relieves pain, because I need them so often.
I know decades ago my mom was told the prescription strength was "hard on the kidneys" and that one really mean doc prescribed ONE dose when I was sobbing in pain from a UTI because "it's not good for you."
I'm just curious about this...I should explore other pain relief, too, in the meantime.

[bjt]

What is the danger of using Pyridium more frequently than suggested?

as far as I can tell, this is one of those questions that you hear different answers from different people & doctors. Here is an FDA finding on the subject-- http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/04/july04/070704/03N-0539_emc-000001-01.pdf
my understanding is that they don't think that there is a problem with pyridium being used long term. There was a study in 1978 that showed that it caused increases of cancer in rats, but they were unable to show that same connection in humans.

of course, I'm not a doctor, this is just my understanding of what I read online...

[Goldfinch]

Chellethinques, if pyridium taken for 2 to 3 days each month is a lifeline, I'd say go for it! Especially if only 1 Azo pill at a time is enough for the pain. But talking to your doctor is always advised. My instinct is that if it were super-dangerous taken in moderation it wouldn't be sold otc at all.

No one has verified whether you can get a phenazopyridine script for 100mg tabs. It seems like it should be available. The otc brands are 95mg each, and the script I have is for 200mg tabs.

Out of curiosity I looked up Pyridium Plus, which of course has the two other ingredients--the sedative and the anti-spasmodic. Interestingly the dose per tab is 150mg of phenazo.

[bjt]

Chellethinques, if pyridium taken for 2 to 3 days each month is a lifeline, I'd say go for it! <snip>
No one has verified whether you can get a phenazopyridine script for 100mg tabs. It seems like it should be available.

I agree, I've used it off and on for years and its a lifesaver.
also, I have a script for 100mg pills, so I know its available that way.

[Jeff]

Does it help pelvic irritation or constipation?

thanks