OTC drugs for the condition that 15 million women get a year of cancer linked

If the urinary tract infections were not so bad, a new report claims that a popular over-counter drug used to treat UTI symptoms has been linked to cancer concerns.

UTI are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting about 15 million women a year. Phenazopiridine, sold under the names of brands such as nitrogen and urists, is used to treat pain, burning and discomfort associated with UTI.

But this drug has not been formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration – and research has raised concerns about its potential risk of cancer, Bloomberg reported.

Phenazopiridine, first synthesized in 1914, works by defeating the lining of the urinary tract to relieve the symptoms of UTI.

Bloomberg reported that phenazopiridine was traded before the current FDA regulations were established for drug approval.

Because of her long history, she was essentially “Grandpa in” and remains in the market without the full approval of the FDA.

One concern for phenazopiridine is that it can mask the symptoms of a uti, potentially delaying antibiotic treatment.

There are also potential risks associated with high doses or prolonged use.

A 2021 study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that dietary exposure to phenyopiridin caused tumors in two rodent species in two different tissue sites.

In female rats, phezazopiridins caused benign and malignant liver tumors. In the rats of both sexes, it caused benign tumors or colorectal malignants.

Nih noted that while animal studies do not clearly prove a link between human exposure to phenazopiridin and cancer development, the drug “is reasonably predicted to be a human carcinogen”.

The side effects of phezazopiridine include chest tightness, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite and stomach pain.

The most severe, though less common, reported reactions include depression, muscle cracking, kidney failure, seizures and nasal stems.

In rare cases, phenazopiridine can cause death due to methemoglobinemia, a condition that interferes with the blood ability to maintain oxygen.

While phenazopiridine is available OTC in the US, it requires a recipe in Canada and the UK.

UTI start when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract due to genetic mood, sexual activity or poor hygiene.

Symptoms include urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when peeing, pressure or pain in the lower abdominal or pelvis region, cloudy or blood -colored urine and urine with a strong odor.

Antibiotics are the main cure for UTI as they eliminate the bacteria that cause the infection. However, many patients use phenazopiridin to manage symptoms while expecting antibiotics.

Unfortunately, studies show that UTI bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, making these infections more dangerous than ever.

Part of this resistance can be attributed to meat consumption, as animals treated with antibiotics can develop resistance to those medicines that are transferred to humans.

And the uti seems to be becoming more widespread. Recent research found that the global burden of UTI disease increased by more than 68% between 1990 and 2019.

Increasing UTI levels can be attributed to several factors, including a growing population, especially an elder who is more susceptible to UTI, and a number of young active sexual young people.

But the relief can be on the way. In March, FDA adopted antibiotic blue to treat uncomplicated UTI in 12 years of age and older women.

The drug acts on a different part of the bacteria compared to most other antibiotics, making it effective against organisms resistant to current treatments.