From the FDA Drug Label
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Phenazopyridine HCl is indicated for the symptomatic relief of pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other discomforts arising from irritation of the lower urinary tract mucosa caused by infection, trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or the passage of sounds or catheters
- Urelle is another name for Phenazopyridine, which is used for the symptomatic relief of pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other discomforts arising from irritation of the lower urinary tract mucosa.
- The main use of Urelle is to provide relief from symptoms, but it should not delay definitive diagnosis and treatment of causative conditions 1.
From the Research
Urelle should not be used as a first-line treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the availability of more effective and evidence-based treatments, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, as recommended by recent studies 2, 3. When considering treatment options for UTIs, it's essential to prioritize evidence-based recommendations that minimize morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life.
- The most recent and highest quality study 2 emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate therapy with antibiotics to prevent complicated UTI conditions.
- Another study 3 highlights the need for guidelines that recommend trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for empirical treatment of uncomplicated UTI, unless resistance in the community exceeds 10% to 20%.
- While older studies 4, 5 discuss the use of sulfonamides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and other antimicrobials, they are not as relevant to current clinical practice due to increasing antimicrobial resistance.
- A study from 2016 6 also discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of UTIs, emphasizing the importance of minimizing the use of antimicrobials and developing effective and safe antimicrobial-sparing preventive approaches. In clinical practice, the use of Urelle should be reserved for specific cases where first-line treatments are not suitable, and patients should be closely monitored for potential side effects and treatment efficacy 2, 3.