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Is Phenazopyridine The Right Medicine For Bladder Infection?
Question: I think I may have a bladder infection. I just went to urgent care and both in my area are already closed. I stopped at the drug store and the gal in the pharmacy recommended phenazopyridine HCI 97.5mg. I am 73 years young and have not had one of these in probably 15 years. Is this OK. I am a diabetic and other than RA I am pretty healthy. Is cranberry juice helpful as I remember. Is there anything else I can do before I get to the Dr. tomorrow? It is painful when I try to go and blood when I wipe. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Information about UTI
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Normally I am quite conservative about recommending antibiotics, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections can often be treated without one, but I am concerned about you going without an antibiotic given that you are diabetic and older. Also, if you take any immunosuppressive medication for the RA, that would be a risk factor for developing complications too. The main concern is that if left untreated, the bacteria causing the lower UTI (bladder infection), can go up into the kidneys causing an infection there (pyelonephritis).
Ideally it is best to get a urine culture before starting antibiotics because the culture and sensitivity test on the urine can tell us whether the bacteria will be killed by a particular antibiotic or if you need another one.
Phenazopyridine will not treat a UTI. It will help with the burning and pain though.
Most likely phenazopyridine (Azo, Uristat) is safe for you to take, but I recommend you checking it with any other medications you are taking by entering them each in this drug interactions checker: http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
And take it with food.
Cranberry can be helpful, but avoid prepared things like Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice if possible, because if you are drinking a lot of it, it can raise your blood sugar. Better to get cranberry juice concentrate and reconstitute it with just water and a little apple juice. It will be quite tart.
But here is what I would recommend: Call your doctor or the doctor on call for him or her, now, and tell them your symptoms - tonight - as they will probably want to get you started on an antibiotic given the possible risk factors.
I hope this information helps.
Information about UTI
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Normally I am quite conservative about recommending antibiotics, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections can often be treated without one, but I am concerned about you going without an antibiotic given that you are diabetic and older. Also, if you take any immunosuppressive medication for the RA, that would be a risk factor for developing complications too. The main concern is that if left untreated, the bacteria causing the lower UTI (bladder infection), can go up into the kidneys causing an infection there (pyelonephritis).
Ideally it is best to get a urine culture before starting antibiotics because the culture and sensitivity test on the urine can tell us whether the bacteria will be killed by a particular antibiotic or if you need another one.
Phenazopyridine will not treat a UTI. It will help with the burning and pain though.
Most likely phenazopyridine (Azo, Uristat) is safe for you to take, but I recommend you checking it with any other medications you are taking by entering them each in this drug interactions checker: http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
And take it with food.
Cranberry can be helpful, but avoid prepared things like Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice if possible, because if you are drinking a lot of it, it can raise your blood sugar. Better to get cranberry juice concentrate and reconstitute it with just water and a little apple juice. It will be quite tart.
But here is what I would recommend: Call your doctor or the doctor on call for him or her, now, and tell them your symptoms - tonight - as they will probably want to get you started on an antibiotic given the possible risk factors.
I hope this information helps.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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