You may be wondering the obvious question ‘Should I take two antibiotics for two different cases?’. Combining two different antibiotics may feel like a lingering fear that doesn’t leave your head. Another terrifying thought could be ‘What if this affects my body?’.
So, can you take azo with antibiotics?
Authentically, you can. Azo is a painkiller-like antibiotic. It can alleviate symptoms of irritation caused by the urinary tract. But rather than treating the source of your urinary displeasure, it aids in relieving and reducing the burning, pain, and frequent urination tendency symptoms. This takes effect while you take other antibiotics for their respective causes.
But this substantial information is not enough source, to primarily answer your curiosity. To know more, keep reading till the end. Let’s proceed!
You must drink a good amount of fluid while you take the medicine. Also, you must ensure to take at least 8 glasses of water daily to heal your urinary pain. So stay hydrated with all that H20 folks!
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Can You Take Azo With Antibiotics?
As said earlier you can consume antibiotics and azo together. Now, the question may arise about how to use them together. Let’s have a look at it.
Azo Standard, or its generic name phenazopyridine, should be taken orally. You usually have to take this medication thrice daily, just after meals, or as prescribed according to your doctor. Azo is usually taken after meals in order to decrease the side effects of the gastrointestinal tract.
But there is one thing you need to consider. If you are using Azo along with other antibiotics for any symptoms similar to urinary tract infection, you should not take it for a period longer than 2 days, before consulting your doctor.
Alongside, make sure to take the medicine for no longer than the recommended time. You should not consume it in smaller or larger amounts than necessary.
Furthermore, you must drink a good amount of fluid while you take the medicine. Also, you must ensure to take at least 8 glasses of water daily to heal your urinary pain. So stay hydrated with all that H20 folks!
However, in order for you to decide whether or not taking Azo is safe for you with other antibiotics, it is safest to ask your doctor first. You must let them know all your preliminary conditions. This may include if you have diabetes or leaky liver disease.
Also, mention any genetic disorder like a genetic enzyme deficiency. This is also known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Now, it’s always important to have a basic idea about any medicine before using it. So, the next segment will enlighten you regarding this particular medicine named Azo.
Azo – All You Need to Know about It
Azo, known as a urinary pain reliever, is a great antibacterial medicine that takes effect at the lower area of the urinary tract mainly the bladder and the urethra.
Uses of Azo
It is taken at the first sign of urinary tract infection. It contains phenazopyridine hydrochloride, which works effectively in slowing the bacterial growth along your urinary tract. It has a dual-action in helping relieve the pain as well as providing antibacterial properties.
Azo helps to relieve any symptoms caused due to infections of the bladder, injuries, usage of catheters, or any surgery until you see a doctor. The symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Urgency and frequency to urinate
However, despite easing these symptoms, it cannot treat your urinary tract infection. It is recommended that you consult your doctor to prescribe the medicine accordingly.
Side Effects of Using Azo
Just so you know, Azo is most probably going to darken your urine color by turning it red or orange. Don’t panic right away, since this is quite normal and won’t cause any harm. Azo’s active ingredient consists of an organic dye.
But this urine would most likely stain your underwear permanently. Also, if you wear contact lenses, it has a big possibility of staining the lenses as well. So take extra care while handling the medicine, as it can stain the skin, or any other object or surface it comes into contact with.
Besides, Azo can produce unusual results in your urine, ketone, or glucose examinations. It can impact urinalysis on the basis of spectrometry or color reactions. In that case, you need to inform your physician regarding your usage of Azo.
Azo is quite safe to use with other drugs since there are little or no interactions. But just as a precaution, let your doctor or pharmacist know about the products and drugs you use at present, before taking Azo.
Lastly, if the condition worsens or even persists for long, inform your doctor as soon as you can.
The dosage you will be prescribed should be on the basis of your medical history and present condition. It should also be based on the response you exhibit to therapy.
| Cautions |
|---|
| Urine color change |
| May stain clothes or fiber |
| May stain contact lenses |
| Do use if symptoms persist even after two days, and inform your doctor |
| If your skin or sclera turns yellowish, stop using Azo. This could be an indicator of renal failure due to drug accumulation. Elderly people are prone to higher risk, hence monitor them more. |
| Use only as an analgesic, not as the treatment for UTI. |
| Contraindications include renal failure hypersensitivity |
Interaction of Azo with Other Drugs
Some drugs may interact with Azo, but there are usually no severe or serious interactions. There are some moderate interactions with herbal medicines, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs. Some prescription drugs which also interact include prilocaine.
Hence, Azo is quite safe to use with other drugs since there are little or no interactions. But just as a precaution, let your doctor or pharmacist know about the products and drugs you use at present, before taking Azo.
They can advise more whether it will be safe to consume or not along with the other drugs.
| Azo with drugs | ||
| moderate interactions | serious interactions | severe interactions |
| corticosteroids/salicylates | NSAIDS/dabigatran | aspirin (> 325 mg); salicylates/dichlorphenamide |
| loop diuretics or NSAIDS | NSAIDS/mifamurtide | NSAID; aspirin (> 81 mg)/ketorolac (non-injectable) |
| selected nephrotoxic agents or cisplatin | NSAIDS/apixaban; betrixaban; edoxaban; rivaroxaban | NSAIDS; aspirin (> 81 mg)/ketorolac (injectable) |
| aspirin (non cardioprotective) or beta blockers | selected salicylates/methotrexate (oncology-injection) | selected nephrotoxic agents/bacitracin |
| anticoagulants and antiplatelets/ tisotumab, plasminogen, fruquintinib, surufantnib | salicylates/varicella or influenza virus vaccine live | methenamine/sulfonamides |
| salicylates/valproic acid | aspirin(>81mg); salicylates/slt anticoagulants (vit k antag) | |
| selected anticoagulants or antiplatelets/ibrutinib | select salicylates/methotrexate (low strength, oral) | |
| aspirin (>81 mg); salicylates/ uricosurics | NSAIDS/cyclosporine; everolimus; sirolimus; tacrolimus | |
| salicylates/acetazolamide; methazolamide | NSAIDS/selected platelet aggregation inhibitors | |
| antidiabetics | ||
| selected salicylates/heparin |
Before You Use This Medicine
Azo works as a wonderful painkiller that soothes the intestinal lining. But before you take this medicine, there are some precautions you must ensure:
- Azo should not be used if you are allergic to foods, dyes, and preservatives.
- If you have some underlying kidney disease, it is best not to take Azo.
- If you are pregnant, it is advised to not use Azo without taking into account your doctor’s advice. However, it is not likely to cause harm to your unborn baby.
- If you are breastfeeding your baby, do not take this medicine. Seek your doctor’s advice first, since it is not known if azo could harm a newborn baby or pass into the breast milk
Tips While Taking Azo
Though you may self-treat yourself or take Azo on your healthcare provider’s advice, it is also necessary to maintain a routine regularly. Some tips include:
- Make sure to not skip any of your doses. Although you can start to feel better, finish the entire treatment course. So if you halt the course early, your infection may resurge and become more difficult to treat
- Try not to take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take the Azo tablet.
- Just so you know, you can experience diarrhea as a notable side effect but don’t worry already since this usually stops after you complete this course.
- Azo can kill harmful bacteria, but it additionally affects the commensal and helpful bacteria in our stomach and intestine, leading to diarrhea. But in case you discover blood in the stool and if diarrhea doesn’t seem to stop.
FAQs
Can Azo be taken by men?
Yes, Azo can provide effective relief from UTI for both men and women.
How long does Azo remain inside our body?
Azo can reach our bladder within an hour, and this will be indicated in a change of your urine color. This tablet can remain in our system till 24 hours from the intake of the drug.
What sort of food allergies are indicated by the Azo package?
The active ingredients of Azo are organic dyes, so if you are sensitive to foods with dyes, you may also be allergic to Azo. Seeing a doctor regarding potential allergies would be the best choice.
Is it okay if I take half of the Azo tablet?
No, because the tablets are only supposed to be taken as a whole. So, if you cut the Azo tablet, it may break the fragile protective coating outside and stain your skin or any surface in contact
Can I chew and have the Azo tablets?
No, since chewing can stain your mouth and teeth. You should not chew, cut or crush Azo, rather you must have it as a whole.
Why should you not take Azo for more than two days?
Azo affects the lower urinary tract and covers your pain rather than treating it. SO, in order to rule you anything out of the ordinary, the cause of the pain needs to be determined. Hence, Azo should only be prescribed for a short period of time.
Parting Words
Now you know if you can take azo with antibiotics. So let’s hope you can take all necessary precautions and understand all about Azo before taking it.
Consult your doctor if your worries persist. Hope this article serves your help in a wholesome way!
