SULFONAMIDES & PHENAZOPYRIDINE

Brand & Generic Names

Azo Gantanol	Sul-Azo
Azo Gantrisin	Sulfafurazole & Phenazopyridine
Azo-Sulfamethoxazole	SULFAMETHOXAZOLE &
Azo-Sulfisoxazole	PHENAZOPYRIDINE
Azo-Truxazole	SULFISOXAZOLE & PHENAZOPYRIDINE

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Analgesic (urinary), sulfonamide

Uses

• Treatment for infections responsive to this drug.
• Relieves pain of lower urinary-tract irritation, as in cystitis, urethritis or prostatitis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

When to take:
At the same times each day, after meals.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Interferes with a nutrient (folic acid) necessary for growth and reproduction of bacteria. Will not attack viruses.
Anesthetizes lower urinary tract. Relieves pain, burning, pressure and urgency to urinate.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days to affect infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Less urine, bloody urine, shortness of breath, weakness, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Rash, itchy skin.
• Dizziness, diarrhea, headache, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, skin sensitive to sun.

Infrequent:

• Joint pain; swallowing difficulty; pale skin; blistering; peeling of skin; sore throat, fever, mouth sores; unexplained bleeding or bruising; jaundice.
• Abdominal pain, indigestion, weakness, tiredness.

Rare:

Back pain; neck swelling; numbness, tingling, burning feeling in feet and hands; bloody urine; painful urination.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any sulfa* drug or urinary analgesic.
• You have hepatitis.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, oral antidiabetics or thiazide or loop diuretics.
• If you are allergic by nature.
• If you have liver or kidney disease, porphyria.
• If you have developed anemia from use of any drug.
• If you have G6PD* deficiency.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month.

Prolonged use:

• May enlarge thyroid gland.
• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to this drug.
• Request frequent blood counts, liver and kidney function studies.
• Orange or yellow skin.
• Anemia. Occasional blood studies recommended.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Drink 2 quarts of liquid each day to prevent adverse reactions.
• If you require surgery, tell anesthetist you take sulfa.
• Will probably cause urine to be reddish orange. Requires no action.
• May stain fabrics.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Aminobenzoates	Possible decreased sulfa effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Anticonvulsants*,	Toxic effect on brain.
Aspirin	Increased sulfa effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Didanosine	Increased risk of pancreatitis.
Hepatotoxic agents*	Increased liver toxicity.
Isoniazid	Possible anemia.
Mecamylamine	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Methenamine	Possible kidney blockage.
Methotrexate	Increased methotrexate effect.
Oxyphenbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Para-aminosalicylic	Decreased sulfa effect.
Penicillins*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Phenylbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Probenecid	Increased sulfa effect.
Sulfinpyrazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Sulfonureas*	May increase hypoglycemic action.
Trimethoprim	Increased sulfa effect.
Zidovudine	Increased risk of toxic effects of
	zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased alcohol effect.
Less than 2 quarts	Kidney damage.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.