Are you unsure which medication will be best for you? In this post I will be going over the differences between Pyridium and Uribel.
Pyridium
Pyridium is an urinary anesthetic and works by numbing the bladder wall. It is classified as an analgesic which is a drug that helps relieve pain. The active ingredient in this medication is Phenazopyridine. This drug does not treat the cause of the urinary irritation, but it can help relieve the symptoms while other treatments take effect. Phenazopyridine is a dye that works as a painkiller to soothe the lining of the urinary tract.
This medication is the most affordable out of the two that can either be prescribed or purchased over the counter. The over the counter brand is known as Azo. It is best to be taken with food to avoid stomach aches. I personally only take 1/2 the recommended dose due to a history of GI upset.
Pyridium or Azo is made for only temporary relief and are not meant to be taken for a long period of time. Taking this medication for an extended period of time causes buildup in your body and causes kidney infections. It is highly suggested not to take this medication more than recommended, even if you’re having symptoms. Most of the serious side effects caused by phenazopyridine happen when too high a dose is taken. If you feel this medication is not working well enough, please contact your provider.
Before taking this medication, be wary! This can turn your urine yellow and possibly stain the toilet seat or clothing.
Uribel Uribel is a combination of different types of classes:
1. Pain Reliever
2. Anti-spasmodic
3. Anti-septic ingredients.
Uribel is a combination medication made of 5 different drugs, which all work differently...
● Hyoscyamine sulfate relaxes the bladder muscle to limit bladder spasms and the urge to urinate.
● Methenamine is broken down to formaldehyde in acidic urine, which kills bacteria and stops its growth.
● Methylene blue works as an antiseptic, meaning it prevents growth of bacteria.
● Phenyl salicylate works as a pain reliever.
● Sodium phosphate monobasic keeps your urine acidic to help methenamine break down into formaldehyde.
This medication helps with symptoms of irritative urination such as frequency, urgency, painful urination, and loss of bladder control.
This is the most pricey of the two and must be prescribed because an OTC version is not available. Other versions of Uribel are Uro-MP and Urogesic Blue.
Pro tip: Ask your doctor for a coupon or peruse the internet for a discount code. Also, ask your pharmacist or insurance which version will be the most affordable for you.
Uribel can be taken for extended periods of time and may cause your urine to be blue or blue-green. So don’t be too alarmed if you see this! It is just the methylene blue component of the medication.
I hope this post helps explain the difference between Pyridium & Uribel. Now, take this knowledge to your physician to discuss which medication is right for you!