What it means
A urinary tract analgesic: a dye that acts on the lining of the bladder and urethra to relieve pain. It does not kill bacteria, so it is used for a short time, usually no more than two days, alongside an antibiotic for a urinary tract infectionYUR-ih-nair-ee TRAKT in-FEK-shunAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.Full entry . It turns urine a bright reddish-orange.
For the nurse
Teach that orange urine is expected and harmless, but it can stain clothing and soft contact lenses. It changes the colors on urine dipstick tests, so tell the lab or note it before urine testing. Report yellow skin or eyes.
In a chart
"Phenazopyridine 200 mg PO three times daily for 2 days; client taught urine will turn orange."
Remember it
Pyridium paints the pee.
At a glance
| Drug class | urinary tract analgesic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Pyridium, AZO Urinary Pain Relief |
| Spanish | fenazopiridina |
Related terms
urinary tract infection
An infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.