Phenazopyridine for Interstitial Cystitis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Annal...
• June 15, 2017

"This medication has helped me greatly in coping with Interstitial Cystitis (IC). There are different types of pain associated with IC, and this medication helps with one of the most debilitating which is a hot poker feeling that starts in the urethra and continues straight up the center. Also, some of the urgency to urinate is relieved. Even with this medication I am attached to a heating pad, but without it there is nothing left of me other than the pain. As for side effects, I have to eat first or I become nauseous with occasional vomiting and headaches. Well worth it."

• ARCnAZ
• July 24, 2015

Azo Urinary Pain Relief (phenazopyridine) "I was having extreme pain, everyone said to get all the AZO bladder med stuff, but I also got this one. Turned out it was the only one that worked!!! But, it only lasted short-term and I had a severe case. It's a "until you get to the doctor" med. If you're resorting to these, you've got doctor worthy problems."

• Spicy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2021

Azo-Standard (phenazopyridine) "This is a godsend for episodes of intense bladder pain that come with my interstitial cystitis. It takes about an hour to work, but once it kicks in, it kicks butt. The downside is if I take this on an empty stomach, I throw up. Also, anything this pill comes into contact with becomes dark orange, and once it’s in my body, all my body fluids are dark orange too. Even tears and sweat have a color to them."

• Pessi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 21, 2018

"I've had urinary tract infections (UTI's) since my late teens. Then it was Pyridium. It always helped until Bactrim kicked in. In 2004 I got a UTI and pain never went away. Saw a urologist who specialzed in interstitial cystitis (IC) and was diagnosed with IC. Since then I've had many infections. Azo without cranberry helps with certain bacteria but not others. I'm in my 60's and this is now a killer on my stomach. But if I'm in a lot of pain I'll take just one with food. I noticed when cultured it aggravates sometimes and works for others. AZO is acidic and so are some strains of bacteria. So for me it's a mixed bag."

• Xoxje...
• June 18, 2017

"I've suffered from Interstitial Cystitis since I was about 13 (now 29) I wasn't diagnosed until about 3 years ago up till then doctors always tried saying it was UTIs but every urine​ test always came back negative. Since I was 13 I've always had azo pills on me. They are my savior .. they taste horrible but work with in 10 to 15 minutes after taking. Only thing is now I'm worrying about taking them so much due to just recently after taking them I had blood in my urine and severe nausea and chills"

• Mothe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

"Azo is the only thing that helps IC flares or I get a UTI. Good news is it really does take the pain away after a little while. But for me, it's not without consequences. Those consequences or side effects include stomach ache and lots of vomiting if I don't STUFF myself with food before taking it. And I don't mean a normal meal, I have to actually stuff my stomach with food. Sometimes I'll think I'm full enough, take the azo and half an hour later realize I was wrong. So, make sure you eat A LOT of food before you take this medication."

• Libby
• January 15, 2020

"I keep AZO on hand for IC flares that started years ago. I always eat a bite before taking and drink lots of bottled water as always. Caffeine, decaf coffee/tea, pineapple, apples, msg, artificial sweetners, chocolate, soy, and tap water are my triggers. Azo saves me when I cheat or unknowingly eat someone else's cooking."

• SWB
• July 31, 2015

"I wish I had known about this medicine sooner! I have had IC all my adult life and as I approach 60 I’ve noticed that is has ramped up in the last year. I do not understand why health articles on IC and UTI’s do not recommend this product! It has helped so much and works quickly. I too will always have this on hand. The regular AZO where you can basically take cranberry juice through a pill, has now become a part of my daily regimen."

• cheryl
• March 23, 2023

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "I suffered for years for what I thought was a UTI. I have had it all Pentosan, DSMO instillations that made you smell like alfalfa, bladder distention, and Botox. This is the only medication that gives me a moment of peace. I am up 9 or 10 times every night to urinate because I cannot stand one drop of urine in my bladder as it burns. When I use Pyridium I am only up 3 times. I just wish I could use it daily."

• Cally
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2022

Azo-Standard (phenazopyridine) "I have gotten pretty good at avoiding trigger foods and drinks, but I still experience IC flare ups every couple of months. When I do get flare ups, they are pretty horrendous. AZO does not completely take the discomfort and pain away for a severe flare up, but I can function enough to not have to put my daily life on hold. It helps enough for me to be able to sleep, and drive in the car for much longer than a short 20 minutes. When I first got diagnosed, I was experiencing much milder flare up for extended periods of time- during those mild to moderate flare ups, AZO just about completely masked my symptoms. Orange urine is a very small price to pay for the amount times these pills have saved me!"

• detour
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2018

"So far I took this medication about 2 times back in June and recently in the past week. My First dose was fine and helped me out . But my second dose was bad flu like symptoms anxiety, not feeling myself, but it did help with urine hesitancy. In October I am seeing a urologist will be asking for other options."

• Eliza...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 23, 2022

"I have severe IC. I have Botox and a hydrodistention every 5 months out-patiently for the disabling chronic pain associated with it. I take this as a prescription every single day. I have some in my purse, and never go anywhere without it. IC is a terrible condition that sometimes take years to diagnose. I have to catheter myself to use the bathroom. I also keep a heating pad with me at all times. But, this medication saves my life and allows me not to be bedridden. IC has changed my life. If you have googled, “IC pain relief”, then your life has changed too. Keep this medication with you and it will be the single fastest way for relief. Also, do take it with food, and if you wear white underwear, and start wearing white underwear, Bleach will take out the stains this causes."

• Nacy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 5, 2023

Azo Urinary Pain Relief (phenazopyridine) "I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) in 1995. It's a constant irritation of the bladder lining that makes you feel like you have a full bladder, which makes you run to the bathroom every 5 minutes. I end up just urinating a half teaspoon! It's so aggravating, and it goes on all day and night. I got relief from the prescription Pyridium, but doctors don't like to prescribe that much anymore. After years of constant suffering, I was so excited to find Azo over the counter at the pharmacy near my house. I was skeptical but desperate to find relief. I didn't expect it to work, but I took it anyway. Much to my delight, it worked GREAT! I slept through the night for the first time in a very long time! I was worried they would stop selling it for some reason, so I bought a couple of boxes. I don't need to take it every day. I just use it when I have a flare-up of IC. One trigger food for me is onion!! It sets my IC off, thank God it's affordable and available!"

• Haley
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2023

"I recently got diagnosed with IC at age 19. They told me I had UTIs at first, and I was taking AZO like candy. After they found out it was IC, I still had to take AZO maximum strength when I have flare-ups. I always keep some in my purse, at home, and at work. Just got a bladder installation done, and I’m in unbearable pain. Just found out you can take AZO with DMSO (medication they used in my installation), so once again AZO saved the day. Yes, it stains my underwear orange, but you can just put a mini pad down. I'm willing to pay around $8 for a box. I spend about $8 to $20 a month on AZO. Miracle drug! I could not live without this."

• rams
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2022

"I've been struggling with IC for a few months now. Bladder instillations did not help. My doctor recommended phenazopyridine, as well as an anti-depressant at night time (it's thought to relax the bladder). I noticed a difference. On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the worst), I was brought down to a steady 2. There were brief moments of even feeling like a 1. This was a win for me. I just ran out of my phenazopyridine about two days ago and my bladder urgency has begun creeping back. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to continue with medicine, as I just don't like being dependent on them, but here we are. I just called in a refill. So far only side effect is the strong yellow/orange urine. I think this medicine should come with free panty liners! I would like to know though-- is taking phenazopyridine everyday bad? I hope that this is just temporary and my bladder will begin to heal itself and perhaps I will only need phenazopyridine when flare ups occur. Thanks!"

• Tracy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2020

Uricalm (phenazopyridine) "My husband brought Uricalm home instead of Uristat. Big mistake. It’s takes over an hour to feel relief whereas Uristat takes about 10-15 minutes tops. Unfortunately, I get UTI’s about twice a year and Uristat has always been my life saver while taking my antibiotics or before my dr appointment. Don’t waste your money."

• Fran
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "It is very difficult to buy this medication in Australia. I finally got a six-tab pack from Amazon. It helps relieve interstitial cystitis flares, but the flares are frequent, and I can't access this medication in the quantity needed. Additionally, it is only recommended to take it for two days, and it is expensive. I am keeping a pack for the worst pain but can't use it regularly."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2021

"Recently I started taking Azo Standard which seemed to work fine. It cleared my symptoms but noticed that I had extreme dry mouth. Figured it would eventually go away. Like Azo products so I decided to try their Bladder Control. Started to take about 2 days after finishing the Standard. Again experienced extreme dry mouth but with some added issues. My eyes were very dry and itchy and I did notice slight discoloration. My eyes looked and felt tired. My skin overall was dry to the point of itchiness. Had leg cramps at night and sometimes during the day. All of these symptoms started happening towards the end of taking the Standard but I brushed it off to change in weather, dust etc. I started taking the Bladder Control about 2 or 3 days after. I did follow the directions. Still didn’t think Azo was the problem so I continued taking it until this past Friday 11/5/21. I have been constipated, dizzy, nauseous, tired and all the things stating above."

• takes...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2024

Azo-Standard (phenazopyridine) "Like others have said, this product is a godsend and I truly can’t live without it. I've dealt with UTIs for nearly all of my adult life. The only downside is it takes nearly 5 hours to kick in for me. I just resign to sitting on the toilet until the pain eventually dissipates. I drink loads of water, hot and cold. I've tried an empty stomach and full – there is no variance. I’d love some advice on how to make it kick in faster. I can’t really suss out the reason."

• LouAnnP
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2023

Uricalm (phenazopyridine) "It has always helped. Better to take it at first signs. When it's full blown, it’s not really enough. But now I take the vitamin store powdered d-mannose powder. You mix it with water and drink it. I read in a book that it works better. Plus, there’s more d-mannose in it. In the book 'From Fatigued to Fantastic', it advises you how much to take. I take the vitamin store brand because they’re the only ones that don’t add nitric oxide that made me very jittery. Then you drink unsweetened cranberry juice also."

• Laura
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2022

"This doesn’t work as quickly for me as it seems to for other people but it does begin to work in an hour or so and it has enabled me to sleep when even the strongest other pain relievers have not worked, for terrible bladder pain that sometimes wakes me up. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get it prescribed so it’s not cheap and has to be bought online imported from other countries but I am going to get it from my urologist soon hopefully. It also seems to have longer lasting effects that reduce the inflammation and pain after it should no longer be effective so I’m pretty impressed with it."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2008

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "This medicine is the best - fast acting and relieves pain, spasms associated with urinary tract infections. Highly recommend it."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2009

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "This medicine has been a God send for me. If I miss a dose, my pain is severe enough to inhibit normal daily activities. Along with my DSMO treatments, I am slowly feeling better!"

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2009

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "Allows me to function."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2011

Pyridium (phenazopyridine) "When taking this medication I developed a fever, reddening of the eyes even more pain and I wasn't able to hold anything down which ended up in a prolonged stay in the hospital."