Phenazopyridine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 10, 2023.

Applies to phenazopyridine: oral tablet.

Precautions

Check with your doctor if symptoms such as bloody urine, difficult or painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, or sudden decrease in the amount of urine appear or become worse while you are taking this medicine .

Phenazopyridine causes the urine to turn reddish orange . This is to be expected while you are using it. This effect is harmless and will go away after you stop taking the medicine. Also, the medicine may stain clothing.

For patients who wear soft contact lenses:

• It is best not to wear soft contact lenses while being treated with this medicine. Phenazopyridine may cause discoloration or staining of contact lenses. It may not be possible to remove the stain.

For diabetic patients:

• This medicine may cause false test results with urine sugar tests and urine ketone tests. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional, especially if your diabetes is not well controlled.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Serious side effects of phenazopyridine

Along with its needed effects, phenazopyridine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking phenazopyridine:

Other side effects of phenazopyridine

Some side effects of phenazopyridine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to phenazopyridine: compounding powder, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

• Frequency not reported: Headache^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Rash, pruritus^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Upset stomach^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Orange to red discoloration of the urine^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic-like reaction^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Staining of contact lenses^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Why do you not take phenazopyridine for more than two days?

Further information

Phenazopyridine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer