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GENERIC NAME: METHENAMINE - ORAL (meth-EN-uh-meen)

BRAND NAME(S): Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is an antibiotic used to treat infection of the urinary tract (kidney, bladder).

HOW TO USE: Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Take with food to prevent stomach upset. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Cranberry juice or taking vitamin C supplements may be recommended since they acidify the urine and make the drug more effective. Large amounts of milk products or antacids should be avoided. Shake the liquid form of this medication well before pouring each dose. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow and may result in a relapse of the infection.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, or headache. If these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing, painful urination, blood in the urine, mouth sores. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: kidney or liver disease, any allergies. Methenamine should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Methenamine is excreted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports (to date) of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI In Adults) - Learn about urinary tract infection causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment of UTIs in men and women. Antibiotics may be used to treat recurrent bladder infections.

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methenamine-oral, Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex

Urinary tract infection introduction

Urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year.

Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for about 8.3 million doctor visits each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs for reasons that are not yet well understood. One woman in five develops a UTI during her lifetime. UTIs in men are not as common as in women but can be very serious when they do occur.

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The key elements in the system are the kidneys, a pair of purplish-brown organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. The kidneys remove excess liquid and wastes from the blood in the form of urine, keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood, and produce a hormone that aids the formation of red blood c...

Read the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI In Adults) article »



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