Phenazopyridine

The Basics

What is Phenazopyridine?

Used to relieve the pain, burning, and discomfort caused by infection or irritation of the urinary tract.

Brand names for Phenazopyridine

Pyridium

How Phenazopyridine is classified

Anesthetics – Urinary

Phenazopyridine During Pregnancy

Phenazopyridine pregnancy category

Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Phenazopyridine while pregnant

Reproduction studies have been performed in rats at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Phenazopyridine HCl. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Taking Phenazopyridine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Phenazopyridine?

The safety of phenazopyridine is not established in infants or during breastfeeding. Because it can cause methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, and hemolytic anemia, it should be avoided while breastfeeding, especially with an infant under 1 month of age or with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Maternal / infant drug levels

The safety of phenazopyridine is not established in infants or during breastfeeding. Because it can cause methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, and hemolytic anemia, it should be avoided while breastfeeding, especially with an infant under 1 month of age or with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Possible effects of Phenazopyridine on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Phenazopyridine

None listed