Directions
How To Use Methenamine Hippurate (Hiprex)
Methenamine comes in the form of a tablet, liquid, and dry granules to take by mouth for recurrent UTIs. Methenamine hippurate is taken twice a day. A different form of the medicine, methenamine mandelate, is taken four times a day.
Read the prescription label carefully and take your medication regularly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosage frequency without your doctor’s approval.
If you are taking the tablets, swallow them whole with a full glass of water or milk. Do not cut, crush, or chew them. If you experience nausea or upset stomach, taking methenamine with food or milk may help.
To use the dry granules, dissolve one packet in 2-4 ounces of cold water, stir, and drink immediately. Do not store the mixture for later use. Make sure you drink all the liquid so that you get the full dose of methenamine.
If you are taking the liquid form of methenamine, shake the bottle well before use. Use a dose-measuring spoon or syringe to measure the dose accurately. Using a household teaspoon may result in the wrong dosing.
Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments while on methenamine. You will need to get certain lab tests including repeated urine cultures during methenamine treatment.
Your doctor may ask you to check your urine acidity (pH) with a phenaphthazine paper or another test. The antibacterial effect of methenamine hippurate is more in acidic urine (pH 5.5 or below). Your healthcare provider may therefore ask you to restrict foods and medications that are urinary alkalinizers during the treatment period. You may also need to take supplements to make your urine acidic if your urinary pH and clinical response indicate this is necessary.
Changes in diet during methenamine therapy may include avoiding dairy products and other foods that can make the urine more alkaline and less acidic. Your primary care provider may recommend eating more protein-rich foods and fruits such as cranberries (especially cranberry juice with added vitamin C), prunes, and plums. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate diet while on methenamine, especially if you have other health conditions such as diabetes mellitus.
In addition to dietary changes, you will also need to avoid certain medications while on methenamine, for example, antacids, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Prophylactic antibiotics such as methenamine need to be taken for the full prescribed duration to clear the infection completely. Continue treatment even if you feel well and have improvement in your UTI symptoms such as burning pain, discomfort, and frequent urination. Avoid missing or skipping methenamine doses.
Missed dose: If you forget a dose of methenamine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store methenamine hippurate at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused methenamine should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw methenamine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded methenamine is through a medicine take-back program or your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on methenamine hippurate. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about methenamine, talk to your doctor for medical advice.
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