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Methenamine Hippurate (Hiprex) is an antibiotic medication used to prevent and control urinary tract infections (UTIs). It's meant for people who need long-term prevention, not to treat active infections. In short, Hiprex (Methenamine Hippurate) is used to treat infections of the urinary tract and prevent them from returning. The urinary tract is a collective name for the parts of the body that produce, store and transport urine. These include the kidney, bladder and tubes called the ureter and urethra.
Key Takeaways
Hiprex (Methenamine Hippurate) is used to treat infections of the urinary tract and prevent them from returning. The urinary tract is a collective name for the parts of the body that produce, store and transport urine. These include the kidney, bladder and tubes called the ureter and urethra.
Common uses for Hiprex (Methenamine Hippurate) include the prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), urinary antiseptic uses, and treatment of prophylaxis in high-risk patients.
Hiprex Uses
Methenamine Hippurate is commonly prescribed to help prevent or reduce the likelihood of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in patients who are prone to frequent bladder or kidney infections caused by certain bacteria. This is especially true for those needing long-term treatment.
However, Methenamine Hippurate may not be effective for all types of infections. Its efficacy can be limited depending on the specific bacteria responsible, as some microorganisms may have developed resistance to methenamine, reducing its effectiveness.
In addition to UTI (urinary tract infections) prevention, methenamine may be utilized for other medical conditions as determined by a healthcare provider.
Here are the uses for Hiprex (Methenamine Hippurate):
Condition | Description | Notes |
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) | Hiprex is used to prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections. | Effective in long-term prevention, especially in recurrent UTI cases. |
Urinary Antiseptic | Methenamine in Hiprex converts to formaldehyde in acidic urine, acting as a urinary antiseptic. | Requires acidic urine for effectiveness (pH < 5.5); often paired with acidifiers. |
Adjunct in UTI Treatment | May be used alongside antibiotics to help eradicate infections and prevent recurrence. | Not typically used alone for active infections but supports antibiotic therapy. |
Prophylaxis in High-Risk Patients | Helps reduce UTI risk in patients with neurogenic bladder, catheter use, or other predisposing conditions. | Commonly prescribed for patients at high risk of chronic UTIs. |
How Does Hiprex (Methenamine Hippurate) Prevent UTIs?
The antibacterial effect of Methenamine Hippurate is primarily due to its conversion to formaldehyde when it encounters the acidic environment of the urine. This chemical can damage bacterial proteins, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Over 90% of Methenamine is excreted into the urine within 24 hours of ingestion. The second component, hippuric acid, further supports methenamine's antibacterial action by maintaining the urine's acidity. Taken as recommended, methenamine provides continuous antibacterial activity, which helps prevent recurrent UTIs (urinary tract infections).
Does Methenamine Hippurate Treat UTI Prophylaxis?
Methenamine Hippurate (Hiprex) has been FDA-approved for UTI (urinary tract infection) prevention in adults and children over the age of 12 since 1967. Its bactericidal activity relies on the breakdown of methenamine to formaldehyde in the acidic urine.
However, the clinical trials reveal some limitations, including the lack of blinded, randomized studies and poorly defined endpoints. While there are instances of treatment failure, pooled analyses still indicate that methenamine hippurate can provide benefits in preventing UTIs (urinary tract infections).
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Sources
Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (2023). Methenamine hippurate tablet [package insert]. DailyMed. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4412d667-63f6-427e-a5c6-376a0e1e172d.
Noureldin, Y. A., Elkoushy, M. A., Andonian, S. (2017). Is it safe to prescribe ascorbic acid for urinary acidification in stone-forming patients with alkaline urine? Turkish Journal of Urology, 43(4), 444-450. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503439/#!po=81.2500
Ovung, A., & Bhattacharyya, J. (2021). Sulfonamide drugs: Structure, antibacterial property, toxicity, and biophysical interactions. Biophysical Reviews, 13(2), 259-272. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8046889/
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