UTI pain relief (phenazopyridine)
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- AZO Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength. Best for: Short-term relief while you arrange UTI care. See options on Amazon
- Monistat Maintain urinary pain relief. Best for: An alternative phenazopyridine tablet. See options on Amazon
- Reusable water bottle. Best for: Staying hydrated. See options on Amazon
Two phenazopyridine products compared
| Detail | AZO Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength | Monistat Maintain |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Phenazopyridine HCl 99.5 mg | Phenazopyridine HCl 99.5 mg |
| Adult dose (12 and over) | 2 tablets 3 times daily, with or after meals | 2 tablets 3 times daily, with or after meals |
| Limit | Not more than 2 days (12 tablets) without a doctor | Not more than 2 days (12 tablets) without a doctor |
Details are from each product's DailyMed label. Both say take with a full glass of water, and children under 12 should not use them without a doctor.
Pain relief, not infection treatment
Phenazopyridine is a urinary analgesic: the labels say it relieves urinary pain, burning, urgency and frequency associated with urinary tract infections. The CDC says antibiotics treat UTIs, and that a healthcare provider can confirm a UTI and decide which antibiotic is needed. So the pain reliever can make you more comfortable while you arrange care, but it does not clear the infection.
The CDC advises seeing a provider if you or your child has one or more symptoms of a UTI. For checking at home, see our at-home UTI test strips guide, but note the labels say phenazopyridine can interfere with urine tests.
UTI symptoms and when to get help fast
The CDC lists bladder infection symptoms as pain or burning while urinating, frequent urination, bloody urine, and pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen. Kidney infection symptoms include fever, chills, lower back pain or pain in the side of your back, and nausea or vomiting.
The Monistat Maintain label says stop use and ask a doctor if you experience fevers, chills, back pain or bloody urine, or a yellowish tinge of skin or eyes. The CDC says get help right away if a child younger than 3 months has a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
Warnings and who should ask first
- Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease, allergies to foods, preservatives or dyes, or have had a reaction to phenazopyridine.
- G6PD deficiency. The AZO label says do not use if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency unless approved by your physician.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: ask a health professional first; AZO recommends a pregnancy test and consultation if pregnancy is confirmed before use.
- Stomach upset may occur; taking it with or after meals may reduce it.
- Stop and ask a doctor if symptoms last more than 2 days or you suspect an adverse reaction.
Orange urine, stains and lab tests
Both labels say your urine will become reddish-orange. This is not harmful, but take care to avoid staining clothing or other items. The products may stain soft contact lenses, so avoid handling lenses after touching tablets.
Phenazopyridine can interfere with laboratory tests including urine, glucose (sugar) and ketone tests. If you have diabetes and check urine glucose or ketones, or you are about to have urine tested, tell your provider you have taken it.
Preventing UTIs
The CDC's prevention tips include urinating after sexual activity, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water or other fluids, and teaching girls to wipe front to back when potty training. Some people also try cranberry products; see our cranberry pills guide for what the evidence says. For vaginal itching and discharge, which is a different problem, see our yeast infection treatment guide.
Store tablets as labeled in a dry place, protected from light, and keep them out of reach of children.
What to look for when you buy
AZO Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength
Best for: Short-term relief while you arrange UTI care
Its label lists phenazopyridine HCl 99.5 mg for urinary pain, burning, urgency and frequency.
Watch out: Not more than 2 days without a doctor; turns urine reddish-orange.
See options on AmazonMonistat Maintain urinary pain relief
Best for: An alternative phenazopyridine tablet
Its label lists phenazopyridine HCl 99.5 mg with the same 2-tablet, 3-times-daily dosing.
Watch out: Stop for fever, chills, back pain or bloody urine.
See options on AmazonReusable water bottle
Best for: Staying hydrated
The CDC lists drinking plenty of water or other fluids among ways to prevent UTIs.
Watch out: Hydration does not replace antibiotics for an active infection.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Does AZO treat the infection?
- No. Phenazopyridine relieves pain; the CDC says antibiotics treat UTIs.
- How long can I take UTI pain relief?
- Not more than 2 days (12 tablets) without consulting a doctor, per the labels.
- Why is my urine orange?
- Phenazopyridine turns urine reddish-orange; the labels say this is not harmful but can stain.
- When should I see a doctor for a UTI?
- The CDC says see a provider for one or more UTI symptoms, and get help fast for fever, back pain or bloody urine.
- Can I wear contacts while taking AZO?
- The labels say it may stain soft contact lenses, so avoid handling lenses after touching tablets.
- Can kids take UTI pain relief tablets?
- Not under 12 without a doctor, per the labels; the CDC says see a provider for UTI symptoms in children.
Sources
- AZO Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength (phenazopyridine) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Monistat Maintain (phenazopyridine) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Urinary Tract Infection Basics (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention