Phenazopyridine, Pyridium

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on May 31, 2023
Written by Amber Watson, PharmD

This article describes phenazopyridine’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of phenazopyridine.

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. 

Phenazopyridine may cause mild or serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). More common mild side effects of phenazopyridine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about phenazopyridine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for phenazopyridine.

* To view phenazopyridine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with phenazopyridine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about phenazopyridine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for phenazopyridine.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Phenazopyridine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• itching
• skin rash
• digestive problems, such as nausea and vomiting
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view phenazopyridine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for phenazopyridine” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of phenazopyridine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about phenazopyridine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for phenazopyridine.  

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, phenazopyridine’s serious side effects include:

• blood conditions, such as a certain blood disorder and a type of low red blood cell level
• liver problems, such as liver failure
• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view phenazopyridine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for phenazopyridine” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about phenazopyridine.

What brand names are available for phenazopyridine?

Phenazopyridine is a generic version of the brand-name drug Pyridium.

Generic drugs are exact copies of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics are as safe and effective as the brand-name version, and generics often cost less than the brand-name drug.

To learn more about how generics compare with brand-name medications, see this article.

If you’re interested in learning about the brand-name form of phenazopyridine, talk with your doctor.

Can phenazopyridine change the color of your urine?

Yes, phenazopyridine can change the color of your urine. The drug contains a dye that can make urine appear brown, red, or orange. This effect is usually temporary. It should go away after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Keep in mind that discolored urine may stain your clothing. Wearing a disposable pad or liner in your underwear may help prevent clothing stains.

To learn more about what to expect while taking phenazopyridine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does phenazopyridine work? And how long does it take to start working?

How phenazopyridine works isn’t completely understood. It’s thought to help numb the lining of your urinary tract. The drug may ease symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) and other urinary irritation.

Phenazopyridine starts working right after you take it. You’ll likely notice that your symptoms ease within 1 hour after each dose.

If you have questions about how phenazopyridine works or how long it lasts, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to take phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin or Tylenol?

Yes, if your doctor advises doing so, it should be safe to take phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Phenazopyridine can be prescribed to ease certain symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) and urinary irritation.

If you’re taking phenazopyridine to ease symptoms of UTI, your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. This may include ciprofloxacin or a different antibiotic, such as nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrobid) or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim).

Your doctor may also suggest other ways to ease your symptoms. Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Advil) may help with pain relief. 

If you have questions about taking phenazopyridine with other drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I do if phenazopyridine is not working?

If phenazopyridine is not easing the symptoms of your condition, talk with your doctor. They can recommend other options for you.

Phenazopyridine can be prescribed to ease certain symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). It may also help with other kinds of urinary irritation. For UTI, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. They may suggest taking phenazopyridine with the antibiotic for up to 2 days.

It may take a couple of days for the antibiotic to start treating the infection. After 2 days, you may no longer need phenazopyridine to ease your symptoms.

If you’ve taken phenazopyridine with an antibiotic for 2 days but still have symptoms, talk with your doctor. They may need to switch you to a different antibiotic. Your doctor will recommend whether you should continue taking phenazopyridine.

Can phenazopyridine be used for a kidney infection or STD?

Yes, phenazopyridine may be prescribed to ease symptoms of a kidney infection or sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are commonly referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Phenazopyridine can be prescribed to ease certain symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). It may also help with other kinds of urinary irritation. Kidney infections are a kind of UTI. STIs may also cause urinary irritation.

If you think you may have a kidney infection or STI, talk with your doctor. They can order tests to check for an infection and advise whether phenazopyridine could ease your symptoms. Your doctor can also recommend whether an antibiotic or an antiviral is needed to treat the infection.

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. 

Uses for phenazopyridine are described below.

Use for urinary tract infection (UTI)

Doctors may prescribe phenazopyridine oral tablet to ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Phenazopyridine is prescribed for this purpose in adults. Your doctor can recommend whether phenazopyridine can be prescribed for children. The drug is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With UTI, you have an infection in your urinary tract. This may affect your bladder or kidneys. It can cause painful urination, frequent urination, or a burning sensation while urinating. Doctors may prescribe phenazopyridine to ease these symptoms.

Use for other urinary conditions

Doctors may prescribe phenazopyridine oral tablet to ease symptoms of other urinary conditions. This includes urinary pain and irritation related to certain injuries, surgeries, or procedures. Examples include endoscopy procedures and the use of urinary catheters.

Phenazopyridine is prescribed for these purposes in adults. Your doctor can recommend whether phenazopyridine can be prescribed for children. The drug is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

The dosage of phenazopyridine your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should follow.

Taking phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine oral tablet is swallowed. You’ll take the drug with food, usually after a meal.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take phenazopyridine. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of phenazopyridine

You should not take more phenazopyridine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much phenazopyridine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below, you’ll find information about phenazopyridine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with phenazopyridine won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications made in the future could interact with phenazopyridine.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with phenazopyridine. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine should not be taken by certain people.

Phenazopyridine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether phenazopyridine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for phenazopyridine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Phenazopyridine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to phenazopyridine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe phenazopyridine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to phenazopyridine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and phenazopyridine

Information about phenazopyridine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Phenazopyridine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether phenazopyridine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Phenazopyridine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether phenazopyridine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for phenazopyridine by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for phenazopyridine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes phenazopyridine’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about phenazopyridine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How should I manage side effects I may have from phenazopyridine?
• Does phenazopyridine interact with any lab tests?
• How does phenazopyridine compare with other treatments for the symptoms of my condition?

• Phenazopyridine hydrochloride tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7aae87e6-92be-4e66-aca1-5be7f24a8c2d/spl-doc

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.