What to do
When you have dysuria, the first consideration is a urinary tract infection. Make an immediate appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room if you have a high fever, back pain and/or just feel sick.
If none of these red flags are present you should drink fluids and consider the addition of cranberry juice or the Azo product, Azo Cranberry. In addition, you should rule out a urinary tract infection.
Using one of the test strips (preferably Azo Test Strips) to see if you have a urinary tract infection can do this. If you do, call your doctor. You can also bypass this step and have your doctor check you for a urinary tract infection.
There are a couple over-the-counter products that can help treat the discomfort of dysuria. Two of the most popular is Azo Standard and Cystex.
Azo standard contains the active ingredient of phenazopyridine hydrochloride. This is the same medication that a doctor would give you to control bladder pain. It is taken 2 tablets, three times a day for those 12 and older. Unless approved by a doctor it should not be used by those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have kidney disease or have Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
Its major side effect is upset stomach so take the product on a full stomach. The product will turn your urine orange-red. It has the potential to stain clothes if you leak urine. It can also stain contact lenses.
This product will interfere with urinary diagnostic tests such as a urine dipstick. This will make it harder to definitively diagnose the infection if you take this product before you get your urine checked. If possible – wait to have a diagnosis before taking this medication.
Cystex contains the pain reliever Sodium Salicylate and can be take as 2 tablets with water three times day. It is recommended in those 12 and older. Those should not use it with a Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
This medication should be taken with food as it can upset the stomach. Those under 20 should not take this product if they have a chicken pox, the flu or another viral illness. This product contains high levels of sodium and should not be used by those with high blood pressure, heart failure or any condition that requires a restriction in salt. Those who are prone to bleeding or have stomach ulcers should not use it.
Any one taking blood thinners, pain medication, gout medication or diabetes medication should talk to their health care provider before taking it.
