Uribel Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Uribel Capsule is a combination medicine containing hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, and sodium biphosphate monobasic. It belongs to the urinary antispasmodic/antiseptic drug class and is used to treat bladder irritation, pain, spasms, and swelling caused by a urinary tract infection, as well as to ease bladder discomfort during certain medical procedures. The five ingredients work together to relax the bladder, fight bacteria, and relieve pain. It is available as capsules and tablets, with dosing based on age.

What is Uribel Capsule

Uribel is a combination medicine with five active ingredients. It is used to treat bladder irritation, pain, spasms, and swelling caused by a urinary tract infection, and to ease bladder discomfort during a medical procedure.

Uribel Capsule uses

• Symptoms of irritative urination such as frequency, urgency, painful urination, and loss of bladder control
• Urinary symptoms related to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Urinary symptoms caused by medical procedures
• Relief of local symptoms such as inflammation, hypermotility, and pain that go along with lower urinary tract infections

Benefits of Uribel Capsule

• Helps relieve pain, burning, and discomfort during urination.
• Helps reduce bladder spasms and cramping.
• Can ease urinary urgency and frequency caused by bladder irritation.
• Provides urinary antiseptic activity that may help limit bacterial growth in the urine.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with urinary tract irritation or certain urologic procedures.

How Uribel Capsule works

Uribel combines five ingredients that each play a different role: hyoscyamine relaxes the bladder muscle to ease spasms and the urge to urinate; methenamine breaks down into a substance called formaldehyde in acidic urine, which kills bacteria; methylene blue acts as a mild antiseptic that helps stop bacteria from growing; phenyl salicylate provides mild pain relief; and sodium biphosphate keeps the urine acidic so methenamine can work properly.

Uribel Capsule dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label and do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Drink plenty of liquids while taking this medicine. Take with a full glass of water and do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking a dose. You may take it with food if it upsets your stomach. Try to take doses at evenly spaced times each day to keep levels steady in your body.

Avoid taking an antacid or anti-diarrhea medicine within an hour before or after taking this medicine, since they can make it harder for your body to absorb it. If you also take ketoconazole, wait at least two hours after taking it before taking this medicine. Limit caffeine from coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate, since caffeine can increase side effects of this medicine. This medicine can slow digestion, which may affect how well your body absorbs other medicines taken by mouth.

Not recommended for children 6 years of age or younger; older children need a dose set by their doctor. Older adults may be more sensitive to side effects and should use this medicine with caution.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Tablet

Side effects of Uribel Capsule

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Rapid heartbeat
• Flushing (redness of the skin)
• Difficulty urinating or not being able to fully empty the bladder
• Blue to blue-green urine or stool (harmless and temporary)

Serious

• Severe dizziness, blurred vision, or fast heart rate
• Painful or difficult urination
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, itching, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Many drugs can interact with the methylene blue in this medicine. Do not start or stop any other medications during treatment without your doctor's advice.
• If you take an antidepressant or psychiatric medication along with this medicine, you could be at risk of a serious drug interaction called serotonin syndrome.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose. If you get a rapid pulse, dizziness, or blurred vision, stop taking the medicine right away.
• People allergic to belladonna-type medicines (like atropine or scopolamine) or to salicylates (like aspirin) may also be allergic to this medicine.
• Older adults may be more likely to experience excitement, agitation, drowsiness, or confusion from this medicine.
• This medicine is not meant to treat a urinary tract infection by itself; an antibiotic is usually still needed for the infection.
• Pregnancy: It is not known whether this medicine could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as it should only be used if clearly needed.
• Alcohol: It isn't known for certain how alcohol affects this medicine, but drinking alcohol may increase the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.
• Driving: This medicine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do activities that require focus until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat and humidity.
• Protect capsules from light and moisture.
• Keep capsules in the original, tightly closed container until use.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have severe dizziness, blurred vision, a fast heart rate, painful or difficult urination, or shortness of breath.
• If you take a medicine that raises serotonin levels, watch for signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, or fainting, and call your doctor right away.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Methenamine-containing urinary products
• Hyoscyamine
• Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
• Uro-MP
• Urogesic-Blue