These tablets are an over-the-counter supplement aimed at quickly reducing symptoms and the severity of urinary tract infections. Sold through CVS pharmacies, they are the store’s own brand. The standard pocket contains 30 tablets.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in this product is Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, which is used to treat pain and discomfort in the urinary tract by acting on the lining. The inactive ingredients include:

  • Magnesium Stearate
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose
  • Small amounts of carnauba wax
  • Croscarmellose Sodium
  • Hypromellose
  • Lactose
  • Magnesium Silicate
  • Maize Starch
  • Pharmaceutical Glaze
  • Polyethylene Glycol
  • Povidone
  • Pregelatinized Starch
  • Sodium Starch Glycolate

Dosage

For adults and children ages 12 and older, the recommended dosage is 2 tablets 3 times per day taken with a full glass of water. Each tablet contains 95mg of the active ingredient Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride. You should not take more than two full days of medication without consulting your doctor first, which is equal to twelve tablets total. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctor before taking any of this medication. You should also avoid if you have kidney or liver disease, or any blood disorders, or any sensitivities to food dyes.

Possible Side Effects

The main ingredient, Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, can cause mild dizziness, so care should be used before driving, and alcohol should be avoided so not to exacerbate the effects. It can also cause an allergic reaction, as can many of the inactive ingredients. Excessive doses of magnesium stearate can cause liver toxicity and microcrystalline cellulose can cause an upset stomach. The product does not claim to be gluten-free or lactose-free, so those with these allergies should consult a doctor before taking the supplement to avoid an allergic reaction.

Phenazopyridine can affect the results of urinalysis, so take this into consideration and inform your healthcare provider before any urinalysis tests. Hydrochloride dyes the urine as it soothes the lining of the bladder, and can cause staining of surfaces. It can also cause dry mouth, drowsiness, as well as excess gas and diarrhea.

Price

As this is the CVS generic formula, it is available only through the CVS pharmacy, both online and in-store. It is competitively priced at $8.47 and can be purchased through recurring shipment to save 20%.

Guarantee

There is no guarantee anywhere on the CVS website, or the medication’s package, which perhaps reflects the limited effectiveness of the product. There are no customer reviews for this specific product, but reviews of medications with the primary ingredient Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride are mostly positive, and report marked improvements in symptoms of urinary tract infections and cystitis.

Conclusion

The main active ingredient in these tablets, Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, is decidedly effective at treating symptoms, and the CVS brand offers an attractively-priced option to more premium brands of similar formulas. The downsides are the large number of ingredients and the risk of side effects, and the limited use for those who have kidney or liver issues. For those looking for symptom relief, this may be a good option, but as this does not prevent or treat infections, it is not a viable long-term solution on its own.

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