A nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). The patient’s urinalysis confirms infection and she is started on appropriate antibiotic therapy. To help with her symptoms of pain and discomfort, the physician also recommends she use over-the-counter phenazopyridine (pyridium). Which of these is an important piece of counseling the nurse should give on phenazopyridine?

When educating patients on their recommended medications, it is important to include information on any likely or intended effects or unintended side effects of a medication (prescription or over-the-counter). The nurse should also review the indications for the medication, its purpose and how to properly take the drug. In this case, phenazopyridine (pyridium) is a short-term pain reliever in those with acute UTI. It should only be taken for 2 to 3 days and is not a substitute for proper antibiotic therapy. This medication will cause orange-colored urine, and this is an important expected outcome of its use. It does not reduce urine output, and patients with a UTI should be encouraged to increase their oral fluid intake, thereby increasing the total amount of urine.