Azo is a common over-the-counter medication used to treat symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs), like burning when urinating and urinary urgency and frequency. It’s available under brand names like Azo Standard, AZO Urinary Pain Relief, and UTI Clear. While azo can provide UTI symptom relief, it does have the potential to affect urine test results.
How azo works
Azo contains two active ingredients: phenazopyridine hydrochloride and pyridium hydrochloride. These ingredients act as urinary analgesics that numb and soothe pain receptors in the urinary tract. This provides relief from UTI symptoms like burning and urgency. However, phenazopyridine and pyridium can also turn urine and even tears an orange-red color. The vibrant urine is a harmless side effect, but it does have the potential to interfere with certain urine tests.
Effects of azo on urine tests
Here’s a look at how azo can impact some common urine tests:
Urinalysis
A urinalysis is a routine urine test that evaluates overall urine health. It checks for signs of infection like bacteria, blood, proteins, and white blood cells. The colorful urine caused by azo can make it difficult for technicians to accurately assess urine color and clarity. The vibrant hue may also mask blood that would normally appear red or pink.
Urine culture
A urine culture is the gold standard for diagnosing a UTI. It identifies the specific bacteria causing the infection and the best antibiotic for treatment. Azo should not affect the accuracy of the culture itself. However, azo may prevent visible signs of infection like blood or cloudiness from showing up. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
Urinary tract imaging
Imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can check for urinary tract blockages or other abnormalities. Azo turns urine red-orange, which can potentially block the view of the ureters, bladder, or urethra. Imaging may need to be postponed until the medication has cleared the body.
Pregnancy tests
Over-the-counter urine pregnancy tests check for the pregnancy hormone hCG. Azo should not affect the accuracy of these tests. However, it could temporarily dye the test strip orange and make the results harder to read.
How long azo affects urine
Azo begins working in about an hour, turning urine orange-red. This vibrant color can last for 1-2 days after taking the medication. Here’s a general timeline of how long azo affects urine:
- 1-4 hours: Urine turns orange-red
- 1-2 days: Urine remains highly pigmented
- 2-3 days: Urine returns to normal color
These timeframes can vary based on:
- Dosage taken: Higher doses lead to darker urine that lasts longer.
- Hydration level: Well-hydrated individuals flush azo out faster.
- Individual factors: Differences in metabolism and excretion affect duration.
Minimizing interference with urine tests
If you need to provide a urine sample for testing, here are some tips to avoid potential interference from azo:
- Stop taking azo 2-3 days before the test.
- Inform the technician you recently took azo.
- Reschedule urine tests if urgently needed for diagnosis.
- Drink extra fluids to help flush out the medication.
- Provide a blood sample instead, if possible.
Using azo with antibiotics
Azo is meant to provide temporary relief while antibiotics clear up the underlying UTI. Some doctors advise avoiding azo with antibiotics due to lack of evidence on potential interactions. However, major interactions appear unlikely. Here are some guidelines on using azo with antibiotics:
- Take azo and antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
- Space them out by at least two hours to avoid absorption issues.
- Monitor for increased side effects like nausea or headaches.
- Talk to your doctor if side effects develop or worsen.
- Call your doctor if UTI symptoms don’t start improving within a few days.
Can azo cure a UTI?
Azo is an analgesic to temporarily relieve UTI discomfort. It does not treat the underlying infection. Here’s why azo does not cure UTIs:
- Azo has no antibiotic properties to kill bacteria.
- It treats symptoms only, not the root infection.
- Bacteria can continue multiplying despite symptom relief.
- UTIs must be treated with antibiotics to be fully cured.
Using azo alone allows the infection to worsen over time. This can lead to complications like recurrent UTIs or kidney infection. Do not attempt to cure a UTI without the guidance of a doctor.
Is it safe to take azo daily?
Azo is not designed for daily use. The FDA advises limiting azo use to no more than two days to avoid potential side effects. Taking azo daily can be unsafe for a few reasons:
- Increased risk of side effects like dizziness, nausea, diarrhea
- Possibility of orange-red urine 24/7
- Higher likelihood of drug interactions
- May mask a chronic underlying condition
- Does not treat the cause of symptoms
Using azo daily points to an underlying problem that demands further investigation. Chronic UTIs, birth defects, prostate issues, and cancer can cause ongoing urinary symptoms. See your doctor if urinary discomfort persists beyond a few days.
Conclusion
Azo is an effective over-the-counter choice for temporary UTI relief. However, its vibrant dye does have the potential to interfere with certain urine tests. Stop taking azo 2-3 days before any urinalysis. And never rely on azo alone to cure an infection without antibiotic treatment. Talk to your doctor about safely incorporating azo for UTI symptom relief.