The drug phenazophyridine, sold under the brand name Pyridium®, is a local analgesic used for a short period of time to treat the discomfort of urinary tract infection, urinary tract surgery, or interstitial cystitis. When taken for infection, it is invariably combined with antibiotic therapy and is used only for the first two or three days of the treatment regimen. Due to the fact that it is not metabolized by the liver and is excreted intact into the kidneys, there is little metabolic variability between patients, making individual Pyridium® dosage adjustments unnecessary.
Patients receiving the medication in its 100 mg form should be given two tablets three times a day. The Pyridium® dosage for patients given the 200 mg tablets is the same, with the patient receiving just one tablet three times daily. It is essential that the medication be given alongside an antibacterial drug, as its use at any Pyridium® dosage level will only mask symptoms and will not alone be effective as a treatment for the underlying cause of the urinary tract infection.
An antibiotic is not necessary for the experimental treatment of interstitial cystitis, and standardized Pyridium® dosage recommendations do not exist in 2011. The suggested Pyridium® dosage for the short-term symptomatic relief of an interstitial cystitis flare-up is 200 mg taken three times daily in adults, and 12 mg per kilogram of bodyweight given in three divided doses for children between the ages of six and 12. A Pyridium® dosage regimen should only be followed for a short period of time, as there is no evidence that clinical outcomes are any better in patients using the drug for over two days than in those using it for just 48 hours.
While Pyridium® is not known to interact with any conventional or alternative medications, it may produce a number of side effects, some of which can be quite severe. Patients should be notified that they must seek emergency medical attention if they develop hives, find that they are having difficulty breathing, or experience swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat as these symptoms may be signs of a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction. The use of this drug should be discontinued immediately if a patient develops jaundice, a bluish skin discoloration, or pale skin.
Other serious symptoms include drowsiness, increased thirst, decreased urination, swelling, or shortness of breath. Fever, confusion, mood alteration, weakness, and vomiting are other side effects that indicate the patient should stop taking Pyridium®. Less serious side effects might include the discoloration of soft contact lenses, itchy skin, stomach upset, dyspepsia, dizziness, or headaches.