If you’ve ever dealt with the burning discomfort of a common health issue, you’ll understand the urge to find fast relief.

For years, many have turned to over-the-counter medications sold under various brand names to ease the symptoms and get on with their day.

However, health experts are now raising concerns—could this go-to remedy be causing more harm than good?

Phenazopyridine is a urinary tract analgesic, meaning it works by soothing the lining of the urinary tract.

It doesn’t treat the infection itself, but it can make those first few days of burning, urgency, and discomfort a little more bearable while you wait for antibiotics to kick in.

In Australia, phenazopyridine is only available by prescription, but in the US and UK, you can buy it off the shelf in lower doses.

Phenazopyridine, a common UTI medication, has been linked to cancer in animal studies, raising concerns among medical experts. Credit: Facebook

Here’s where things get worrying. Recent warnings from health experts and government agencies have highlighted early evidence that phenazopyridine could be linked to cancer.

Animal studies conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that dietary exposure to phenazopyridine caused tumours in two different rodent species.

Female mice developed both benign and malignant liver tumours, while rats of both sexes developed benign or malignant colorectal tumours.

While these findings don’t prove a direct link between phenazopyridine and cancer in humans, the NIH has classified the drug as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.'

That’s a strong warning, especially considering how widely the drug is used.

Despite these concerns, phenazopyridine remains available over-the-counter in many countries.

Some experts, like Rita Jew, president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, are calling for a rethink.

'There is no need for this drug,' she told Bloomberg, pointing out that safer alternatives exist.

Surprisingly, even some doctors who regularly recommend phenazopyridine to patients were unaware of the cancer risk.

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New York-based gynaecologist Dr Steven Goldstein admitted, 'It’s the first time I’m even hearing about this. I’m totally unaware.'

Cancer isn’t the only concern. According to the Mayo Clinic, phenazopyridine can cause a range of side effects, from mild (dizziness, loss of appetite, stomach pain) to severe (depression, muscle twitching, kidney failure, seizures, and nosebleeds).

While most people tolerate the drug well for short-term use, these risks are worth considering—especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

The good news is that there are other ways to manage UTI symptoms while you wait for antibiotics.

Products containing methenamine and sodium salicylate can also help ease discomfort, and they don’t carry the same cancer warning.

Of course, antibiotics remain the only way to actually cure a UTI, with common options including nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and fosfomycin.

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UTIs are incredibly common, especially among women. In fact, about half of all women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, compared to just one in 20 men.

This is largely due to anatomy: women have a shorter urethra, so bacteria have a shorter journey to the bladder.

Other risk factors include sexual activity (which can push bacteria toward the urethra), menopause (which changes the vaginal environment), and even certain foods.

Interestingly, new research is pointing to another possible culprit: E. coli from meat.

A 2023 study from George Washington University found that up to 8 per cent of UTIs could be linked to E. coli strains found in chicken, turkey, and pork.

With meat consumption on the rise, this could help explain why UTIs are becoming more common.

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If you suspect you have a UTI, it’s important to see your GP as soon as possible.

While OTC remedies can help with pain, only antibiotics can clear the infection.

And if you’re considering using phenazopyridine, it’s worth having a chat with your doctor about the risks and whether a safer alternative might be better for you.

While the evidence isn’t conclusive, the warnings about phenazopyridine are enough to give anyone pause—especially if you’re in the habit of reaching for it whenever a UTI strikes.

As always, it’s best to talk to your doctor before starting any new medication, even if it’s available over the counter.

Key Takeaways

• Phenazopyridine, a common over-the-counter medication for urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms sold under several brand names, has been linked to cancer in animal studies, raising serious concerns among medical experts.
• Experts warn that phenazopyridine is ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen’ after studies found it caused various tumours in both mice and rats, although a direct link in humans has not been confirmed.
• Despite these warnings and potential side effects like chest tightness, kidney failure and seizures, phenazopyridine remains available without prescription in the US, unlike in Australia, the UK, and Canada.
• Doctors advise people with UTIs to consider alternative symptom relief or rely on antibiotics, which target the underlying infection, and recommend caution when using phenazopyridine.

Have you used phenazopyridine or other OTC UTI remedies? Did you know about the cancer risk? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below—your story could help others make safer choices.

 

[June E]

Wow that’s not good, I hope countries selling this drug over the counter will stop now this is known about the drug !
I read recently that older women are also more prone to UTI’s as in my case I’d never had them until recently.

 

[Clancieblue]

Wow that’s not good, I hope countries selling this drug over the counter will stop now this is known about the drug !
I read recently that older women are also more prone to UTI’s as in my case I’d never had them until recently.

Make sure you empty your bladder properly, and drink plenty of water.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I have been a subscriber to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website for many years.

However, what disturbs me is the increasing use of terms of uncertainty such as "may", "could", " a possibility" are nothing but a roulette wheel as a guess when it comes to medical issues.

In other words, playing with other people's lives as a form of gambling. The house always comes out on top.