Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Pyridium
What is PYRIDIUM® used for?
PYRIDIUM® is used for one or more of the following medical conditions:
Pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other
discomforts resulting from lower urinary tract caused by infection, trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or the passage of sounds or catheters.
PYRIDIUM® is indicated for short-term use and can only relieve symptoms; it is not a treatment for the underlying cause of the symptoms.
How does PYRIDIUM® work?
PYRIDIUM® is excreted in the urine where it exerts a topical analgesic effect on the mucosa of the lower urinary tract. This action helps to relieve pain, burning, urgency and frequency. The precise mechanism of action is unknown.
What are the ingredients in PYRIDIUM®?
Medicinal ingredient:
Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride.
Non-medicinal ingredients:
PYRIDIUM® 100mg tablets:
Aerosil 200, arabic gum, calcium carbonate, pregelatinized corn starch, lactose monohydrate, isopropylic alcohol, magnesium stearate, sodium carboxymethyl starch, OPAGLOS® NA-7150, OPAGLOS® 6000 OFF-WHITE, purified water, saccharose, SICOVIT® BROWN 75, talc.
PYRIDIUM® 200mg tablets:
Carnauba wax, cornstarch, D&C red No. 7, FD&C blue No. 2, FD&C yellow No. 6, gelatin, lactose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, sodium starch glycolate, sucrose, titanium dioxide and white wax.
PYRIDIUM® comes in the following dosage form:
As tablets containing 100 mg or 200 mg of phenazopyridine hydrochloride.
Do not use PYRIDIUM® if you:
- are allergic to this drug or its ingredients
- have renal insufficiency
- have severe liver disease
PYRIDIUM® should NOT be used in patients under 18 years of age since the safety and effectiveness have NOT been established.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS
Before taking this medication, tell your health care provider if you have any of the following:
- G-6-PD deficiency
- renal insufficiency
- severe liver disease
- any other medical problem
Other warnings you should know about:
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following medicines may interact with PYRIDIUM® (NOT a complete list):
- Ciprofloxacin"
How to take PYRIDIUM®:
- Swallow PYRIDIUM® tablets with water.
Take PYRIDIUM® after meals.
- Follow all instructions given to you by your healthcare professional.
This medication has been prescribed specifically for you. Do NOT give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms seem to be similar to yours.
Usual dose of PYRIDIUM®:
200 mg 3 times daily after meals.
Take PYRIDIUM® only as directed by your healthcare professional.
Do NOT take more of it, do NOT take it more often and do NOT take it for a longer period of time than your healthcare professional recommended. If possible, you should take the lowest dose of this medication for the shortest time period. Taking too much PYRIDIUM® may increase your chances of unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects, especially if you are elderly, or have other diseases.
If you will be using PYRIDIUM® for more than 2 days, see your healthcare professional regularly to discuss whether this medicine is working for you and if it is causing you any unwanted effects.
Overdose
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose of PYRIDIUM®, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using PYRIDIUM®?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking PYRIDIUM®.
PYRIDIUM® may cause some side effects, especially when used for a long time or in large doses. When these side effects occur, you may require medical attention. Report all symptoms or side effects to your healthcare professional.
Check with your healthcare professional IMMEDIATELY if you develop chills, fever, muscle aches or pains, or other flu-like symptoms, swelling of the neck and throat and tongue, especially if they occur before or together with a skin rash. These symptoms may be the first signs of a SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTION to this medication.
Phenazopyridine produces an orange to red color in the urine and feces, and may cause staining. Staining of contact lenses has also been reported. If you are older, your doctor will watch you more closely, since the kidneys work less effectively with age.
If your skin or the whites of your eyes develop a yellowish tone, it may indicate that your kidneys are not eliminating the medication as they should. STOP TAKING THE DRUG AND NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. If you think you have received too much
PYRIDIUM®, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Keep the tablets in a dry place at normal room temperature (below 30°C) in the packaging that they come in.
Keep out of sight and reach of children.
If you want more information about PYRIDIUM®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full prescribing information that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website
(www.searchlightpharma.com), or by calling 1-647-945-9762.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||
| Symptom | STOP taking PYRIDIUM® and talk to your physician or pharmacist | STOP taking PYRIDIUM® and get emergency medical attention IMMEDIATELY |
| RARE | ||
| Headaches, stiff neck | ||
| Shortness of breath, any trouble breathing or chest tightness, wheezing | ||
| Hives, itching, skin rash or swelling of the neck, throat or tongue | ||
| Blurred vision, or any visual disturbance | ||
| Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting | ||
| Yellow discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes with or without itchy skin | ||
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.