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Can You Take AZO Safely While Breastfeeding?

AZO is commonly prescribed to people for a UTI, or Urinary Tract Infection. Although it doesn’t cure the infection, it does help with the spasms that cause pain and discomfort when you have a UTI. However, the active ingredient means that this medication is not safe for breastfeeding mothers. 

What Is AZO?

AZO is an over-the-counter medication that provides urinary relief. Most people that take this find relief from the many unpleasant side effects of a urinary tract infection. For example, pain, the urgent need to urinate, and burning.

It should be noted that this medication does not treat the underlying cause of the UTI. Instead, it helps people find relief from the discomfort that is associated with a UTI. 

The Active Ingredient In AZO Is Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride

It has been determined that Phenazopyridine is not ideal for use while breastfeeding. It does wind up in your breastmilk, and can actually turn your breastmilk orange.

It can cause hemolytic anemia (a disorder that causes red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they can be made), methemoglobinemia (a disorder in which too much methemoglobin is produced), and sulfhemoglobinemia (a condition in which it is impossible for the red blood cells to transport oxygen.)

This medication has not been deemed to be safe to use, and there are limited studies regarding the impact that it has on infants if taken while breastfeeding. Due to the risks mentioned above, it’s best to avoid them altogether. 

AZO Does Not Treat A UTI

AZO is a common medication that people take to alleviate the symptoms of a UTI. However, it does not treat the underlying condition. Most people contact their general care provider and take antibiotics to help treat the UTI itself. 

Contact Your Physician If You Believe That You Have A UTI

It’s important to contact your primary care provider if you believe that you have a UTI. They can prescribe you antibiotics that are safe to take while you are breastfeeding to help treat the infection. 

Natural Remedies To Treat A UTI

Although antibiotics are the typical choice of treatment for a UTI, there are plenty of people that prefer to use natural methods of treatment.

These can also be effective and are often considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to this, most UTI’s that are considered uncomplicated can be cleared up without antibiotics. 

Drink Plenty Of Water

When you’re properly hydrated, your body is always in a better position to handle things like a UTI. This can also help flush the bacteria in the urinary tract out of your system. Without a UTI, you should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water. With a UTI, aim for at least that much. 

This can also dilute your urine, which makes it harder for bacteria to use it to travel throughout your urinary tract. This can help prevent future infections as well as treat your current one. 

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is one of the oldest home remedies used to treat a UTI. Drinking plenty of cranberry juice can prevent certain harmful cells from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. It can also help flush out your system. 

Cranberry juice contains powerful antioxidants that can combat damage, and help you fight off infection.

There are mixed results on whether this works though. Some studies prove that it is effective while others claim that it’s not. Either way, drinking cranberry juice isn’t going to hurt you. 

Always Wipe From Front To Back

When you wipe from back to front, it can result in bacteria getting into the urethra. This can result in a UTI. Not only can it give you a UTI, but it can also make your existing UTI worse.

For example, imagine that you already have plenty of bad bacteria in your urethra, and it is causing a UTI. Then, you add more bacteria into your urethra. It’s going to make the situation worse. 

This method alone cannot be used to treat a UTI. However, it can help prevent them in the future and prevent your current UTI from getting worse. 

Prevent It From Getting Worse With Good Sexual Hygiene

Not only can this prevent a UTI from getting worse, it can also help prevent them in the future. Bacteria can live in certain areas, and you want to prevent them from getting near your urethra. 

Peeing before and after sex is a great idea. This helps to flush any existing bacteria out of the urethra. If some do get into your urethra, you can pee and rinse it right back out after sex. 

Make sure that your partner is washing under his foreskin before sex. Some guys really don’t know that you have to do this. It’s also a common spot for bacteria to thrive. This can result in a UTI. 

Use barriers if you’re prone to UTIs to help prevent them. For example, use a condom every time that you have sex. You can also use a dental dam for oral sex until you determine the cause of your UTIs. 

Make sure that you don’t use something for both anal and vaginal sex unless it is washed first. If you have anal sex without a condom, make sure that your partner washes their genitals before switching to vaginal intercourse. 

Pick Up Some Probiotics

Probiotics are wonderful for your body, especially if you’ve had to take a course of antibiotics recently. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria in your body, including the good bacteria.

Probiotics are good bacteria that can help your body fight off infections, including urinary tract infections. Certain probiotics can produce hydrogen peroxide in your urine which helps kill the infection, too. 

In Conclusion

You cannot safely take AZO while breastfeeding. Instead, you can take antibiotics to treat the underlying cause of your UTI, which will then alleviate symptoms. Following natural remedies to control symptoms and prevent UTIs is another reason. 

*The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The author does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical advice.

Medical Disclaimer. All content and media on the MomInformed Website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.