Phenazopyridine oral tablet interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with phenazopyridine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

Note: Phenazopyridine has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug has been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Other drugs and phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any other drugs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with drugs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Before taking phenazopyridine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Health factors and phenazopyridine

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with phenazopyridine oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking phenazopyridine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll discuss any warnings and precautions with you and determine whether phenazopyridine is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with phenazopyridine oral tablet:

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
• past allergic reaction to phenazopyridine
• certain conditions affecting the stomach or intestines
• kidney conditions,* such as chronic kidney disease
• liver conditions,* such as cirrhosis
• pregnancy* or breastfeeding

* You should not take phenazopyridine if you have certain kidney or liver conditions, or certain infections during pregnancy. See the “When to avoid” section below to learn more.

When to avoid phenazopyridine

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with phenazopyridine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe phenazopyridine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a list of contraindications for phenazopyridine oral tablet:

• Kidney conditions: If you have weakened kidney function, you may have a higher risk of side effects from taking phenazopyridine. Chronic kidney disease is an example of a condition which can weaken kidney function.
• Severe liver conditions: If you have severe liver damage, taking phenazopyridine oral tablet may worsen your condition. You may have a higher risk of having liver-related side effects from phenazopyridine treatment.
• Severe hepatitis or pyelonephritis during pregnancy: You should not use Phenazopyridine if you are pregnant and have severe hepatitis (liver inflammation) or pyelonephritis (a type of kidney infection). Instead, your doctor can discuss safer treatments for your symptoms.
• Past allergic reaction to phenazopyridine: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to phenazopyridine oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking phenazopyridine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take phenazopyridine.

Alcohol and phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

However, if you have a UTI, your doctor will likely suggest avoiding alcohol until your infection clears. Alcohol can irritate the bladder and affect how well your body fights an infection.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Other interactions and phenazopyridine

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether phenazopyridine oral tablet has these interactions. 

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with phenazopyridine.

Phenazopyridine and supplements

Before taking phenazopyridine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Phenazopyridine interactions and herbs

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Phenazopyridine interactions and vitamins

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Phenazopyridine and food

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Phenazopyridine and vaccines

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Phenazopyridine and lab tests

Phenazopiridine oral tablet may interact with many different urine lab tests. Examples include bilirubin and albumin urine tests. Phenazopyridine can affect the accuracy of these test results.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Phenazopyridine and cannabis or CBD

Phenazopyridine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with phenazopyridine.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Preventing phenazopyridine interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with phenazopyridine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking phenazopyridine oral tablet.

Taking phenazopyridine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about phenazopyridine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Could I still take phenazopyridine even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
• Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my phenazopyridine treatment?
• If I take phenazopyridine and have certain health conditions, will you be monitoring me more closely during the treatment?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.