Doctors Sound Alarm as Over-the-Counter Drug Taken by Millions is Linked to Cancer

Sold under brand names such as Azo, Pyridium, and Uricalm, phenazopyridine works by numbing the urinary tract to alleviate discomfort from infections. However, recent attention has turned to its potential cancer risk after animal studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States found that exposure to the drug caused tumors in mice and rats. The NIH has since labeled phenazopyridine as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” prompting warnings from health experts, especially since it remains easily accessible in the United States without a prescription.

Concerns are heightened by the fact that phenazopyridine has known side effects ranging from mild symptoms such as dizziness and stomach pain to more severe conditions, including kidney failure and seizures. As concerns about phenazopyridine’s safety grow, regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States are being urged to re-evaluate its over-the-counter status.

To read how researchers have found that zinc may help treat urinary tract infections, see this news story on our website.