Hiprex, containing the active ingredient methenamine hippurate, is a urinary tract antiseptic primarily used for the long-term prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is available as a 1-gram scored tablet designed for oral administration. While some doctors find Hiprex useful for UTI prevention, its effectiveness and potential side effects are important considerations.
What is Hiprex?
Hiprex contains the active ingredient methenamine hippurate, which is a hippurate salt form. It belongs to the drug class of urinary tract antiseptics. Methenamine, also known as hexamethylenetetramine or urotropin, is a heterocyclic molecule. Once absorbed, methenamine is rapidly excreted into the urine, where it breaks down into formaldehyde and ammonia in an acidic environment. Formaldehyde acts as a bactericidal agent, effective against almost all bacteria, and resistance to it does not typically develop. This makes Hiprex valuable in suppressing chronic or recurrent UTIs.
How to Use Hiprex
To use Hiprex effectively, take the medication by mouth with a full glass of water, following the prescription label's directions. The formulation is designed to be taken orally. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Maintain regular intervals between doses and do not exceed the directed frequency. It is crucial to complete the entire course of medication, even if you feel better, unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare team.
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue with the regular schedule. Avoid taking double or extra doses to compensate for the missed one.
Storage
Store Hiprex at room temperature, ideally between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F), and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Ensure the container remains tightly closed and discard any unused medication after its expiration date. To dispose of unwanted or expired medication, utilize a medication take-back program. If such a program is unavailable, consult the label or package insert for proper disposal instructions, or ask your care team for guidance. If safe to dispose of in the trash, remove the medication from its container, mix it with an undesirable substance like cat litter or coffee grounds, seal it in a bag or container, and then discard it.
Read also: Complement Your Keto Lifestyle
Common Side Effects of Hiprex
While Hiprex is generally well-tolerated, like all medications, it can cause side effects. According to the FDA label, minor adverse reactions have been reported in less than 3.5% of patients. The most common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Dysuria (painful urination)
- Rash
- Bladder irritation (with large doses)
Frequency of Side Effects
A breakdown of the frequency of common side effects, according to the FDA label, is as follows:
| Side Effect | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Nausea | < 3.5% of patients |
| Upset stomach | < 3.5% of patients |
| Dysuria (painful urination) | < 3.5% of patients |
| Rash | < 3.5% of patients |
| Bladder irritation | Occasional, high doses |
Serious Side Effects
In addition to the common side effects, it is important to be aware of more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Report these to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Liver injury: right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Red or dark brown urine, pain or trouble when passing urine, passing frequent amounts of urine
Preventing and Managing Common Side Effects
Fortunately, Hiprex does not have an extensive list of side effects. Here are some strategies to prevent or manage the most common ones:
- Nausea and Upset Stomach: Taking Hiprex with food or at bedtime can help reduce these symptoms.
- Dysuria (Painful Urination): Maintaining adequate hydration and ensuring the urine stays acidic can help prevent or reduce discomfort.
- Rash: Consult with a healthcare provider if a rash develops. Discontinuation or dosage adjustments may be necessary.
- Bladder Irritation (with higher doses): Adhering to the prescribed dose and avoiding self-adjustments is crucial to prevent bladder irritation.
What to Tell Your Care Team Before Taking Hiprex
Before starting Hiprex, inform your care team if you have any of the following conditions:
Read also: Is Craniosacral Therapy right for you? Learn about the risks
- Dehydration
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Allergic reaction to methenamine, tartrazine dye, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
- Breast-feeding
Also, provide a comprehensive list of all medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements you are using. It is also important to inform them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
Drug Interactions
Hiprex can interact with several medications. It is crucial to avoid taking it with:
- Sulfa medications
Hiprex may also interact with:
- Acetazolamide
- Antacids
- Methazolamide
- Sodium bicarbonate
This list may not be exhaustive, so always provide a complete medication list to your healthcare provider.
Dosage and Administration
The typical dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is one 1-gram tablet twice daily, taken in the morning and at night. For children between 6 and 12 years, the dose is ½ to 1 tablet (0.5 to 1.0 g) twice daily, also in the morning and at night.
Read also: Is RM3 Weight Loss Right For You?
Maintaining Acidic Urine
Hiprex works best when the urine is acidic. To help maintain a low urine pH:
- Restrict alkalinizing foods and medications.
- If necessary, acidify the urine with supplemental measures, as indicated by urinary pH and clinical response.
- You will need to be on a special diet while taking this medication.
- Ask your care team how many glasses of water or other fluids to drink each day.
- Also, ask which foods to include and which to avoid to help keep your urine acidic.
Special Considerations
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The safety of Hiprex during early pregnancy is not well-established. While safety in the last trimester is suggested, it is not definitively proven. The drug passes into breast milk, and the effect on a nursing infant is unknown. Therefore, Hiprex should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed and with careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits.
Pediatric Use
While Hiprex may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Discuss the use of this medication in children with your care team.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of Hiprex did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
Other Medical Conditions
Inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Severe dehydration
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe liver disease
Hiprex and Liver Health
Methenamine has not been definitively linked to serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent acute liver injury. In prospective controlled trials, Hiprex was generally well-tolerated at conventional doses, and no episodes of serum aminotransferase elevations or clinically apparent liver injury were reported.
Contraindications
Hiprex is contraindicated in patients with:
- Renal insufficiency
- Severe hepatic insufficiency
- Severe dehydration
Additional Information
Importance of Completing the Course
Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs, including Hiprex, should only be used to treat bacterial infections and not viral infections like the common cold. When Hiprex is prescribed for a bacterial infection, it is crucial to take the medication exactly as directed, even if you start feeling better early in the course of therapy.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if you develop new symptoms while taking Hiprex. Regular monitoring and communication with your healthcare provider are essential for managing UTIs effectively and safely.
Where to Buy Online Hiprex
As a trusted prescription referral service, we offer important benefits whenever you order online. Each of our partner pharmacies and/or government-approved dispensaries is committed to providing the best experience possible of any online prescription referral service on the internet.