Can You Take AZO While Breastfeeding – 15 Important Facts You Should Know for Peace of Mind

Breastfeeding mothers need to be aware of the medications that could potentially enter their breast milk. Failure to pay attention to the type of medications taken can put their babies’ health at risk like can you take AZO while breastfeeding.

It’s common for women to be concerned about which medications are safe to take during pregnancy. One such medication is AZO, which is often considered a health risk for babies. Breastfeeding mothers must consult with their healthcare provider before taking any medication to ensure the safety of their child.

What Is AZO?

AZO, also known as Phenazopyridine, is a medication that provides local analgesic effects on the urinary tract. Its main purpose is to relieve pain, irritation, and urgency caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Usually, AZO is used alongside an antibiotic medication at the beginning of treatment to help alleviate symptomatic relief of urinary tract infections. This type of infection can be caused by factors such as trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, and catheter use.

It is essential to note that AZO is not a medication used to treat UTI infections, instead, it only helps to mask the symptoms. AZO pills are prescribed to alleviate pain, irritation, and discomfort caused by UTIs, and they should only be used in conjunction with other recommended treatments.

It is crucial not to take AZO for more than two days without consulting your healthcare provider. If used for an extended period, AZO may mask the symptoms of an infection, and the underlying issue may remain untreated. In cases where antibiotics are effective, patients should start feeling better within two days of starting the medication.

How To Use AZO Pills

Azo medication is usually taken by mouth three times daily after meals or as directed by your physician. If you are taking this drug because of symptoms related to urinary tract infections, it’s very likely your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to go with it.

AZO dosage is most likely based on your medical condition and your response to therapy. Inform your doctor if the condition worsens. 

Detecting UTI

It’s important to identify the onset of urinary tract infection early enough so you can get help. Some symptoms to look out for include.

• Pain or stinging when you pee

• Pelvic pain

• Cloudy pee

• Smelly urine

• Fever

• Confusion and delusions

• Bloody tinged urine

• Cramps

• An urge to pee, but little comes out

What Causes UTI While Breast Feeding

• Having sex. Having sex can cause germs in the vaginal canal that can be pushed into the urethra. Always pee before and after sex.

• Trying to hold pee. Always trying to hold pee in can be a cause of UTI

• Wiping from back to front. After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back. wiping from back to front can introduce unwanted bacteria into the vagina

• Some birth control measures. Some forms of birth control like diaphragms and spermicides promote UTIs

• Using soap to wash your vagina can disrupt the natural pH balance, irritate the area and cause inflammation.

• High sugar consumption. Sugar weakens the immune system, weakening the body’s defense and allowing bacteria a chance to invade the body 

Preventing UTIs While Breast Feeding.

The following tips can help you prevent UTIs while breastfeeding.

• Wipe from front to back

• Drink water and stay hydrated

• Do not hold your pee

• Avoid scented feminine products like scented pads and tampons, deodorant sprays, scented powders, and douching

• Take probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that help promote the growth of good bacteria. Check with your doctor to confirm it’s safe for your breastfeeding baby.

• Using condoms during sex is especially important if you are prone to urinary tract infections. 

Complications From UTI While Breastfeeding

When treated properly, UTIs rarely develop complications. But if left untreated, UTIs can develop serious complications like;

• Recurrent infections, especially in women who have experienced three or more infections within six months or four or more within one year

• Permanent kidney damage from a chronic kidney infection due to an untreated UTI 

• Increased risk in delivering low birth weight or premature infants.

• Sepsis: an infection that happens when the infection works its way up from your urinary tract to your kidneys. 

When You Should Not Take AZO

You should not use the AZO medication if you are allergic to it or if you have kidney disease. To be sure that AZO pills are okay for you, consult your doctor if;

• You are suffering from liver disease

• You have Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. 

• You are diabetic;

• You are breastfeeding.

Taking AZO While Breastfeeding

Infections of the urinary tract are common during pregnancy and after birth. They are often caused by a catheter, which may introduce bacteria into the bladder. Birth can also damage other urinary problems. UTIs are a nuisance just like any other illness, but infections may affect your milk supply.

Most of the time, urinary tract infections can be treated at home with medications such as paracetamol, fluids, and natural remedies. Most antibiotics prescribed for you are safe to use while breastfeeding. 

Can you take AZO while breastfeeding? The answer is No! AZO is not a safe medication to take while breastfeeding. Although the safety of taking AZO while breastfeeding has not been established, it is not safe and can end up in your breast milk, which has potentially harmful effects on your baby. Do not use AZO while breastfeeding without consulting your doctor. 

Effects Of AZO On Breast Milk

Taking Azo while breastfeeding is not ideal for your baby. It can wind up in your breast milk and can turn your breast milk orange.

Effects Of AZO On Babies 

Azo can cause the following side effects on infants who are breastfed

• Methemoglobinemia: This is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin is produced. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing respiratory pigment in the red blood cells that carries and distributes oxygen to the body. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin. 

• Sulfhemoglobinemia: This disorder makes it impossible for red blood cells to transport oxygen to parts of the body.

• Hemolytic anemia: This is when the red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made. Red blood cells distribute oxygen to all parts of the body and if you end up having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells, you have anemia. 

AZO medications should be avoided while breastfeeding, especially with babies less than one month or with G6PD deficiency. The best line of treatment for UTIs is antibiotics. Some antibiotics are safe for breastfeeding mothers. Always consult your health provider before taking any antibiotic. 

How Long Does AZO Stay In Breastmilk

Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, the active ingredient in AZO pills, may stay in your system for up to 24 hours. 

Side Effects Of Taking AZO

AZO will treat the urinary symptoms, but it will not treat the urinary tract infection. You should speak to your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have a sign of

• An allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Little or no urination 

• Fever, pale or yellowed skin

• Orange colored urine 

• Stomach pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache 

• Dizziness

• Upset stomach 

• Loss of appetite

• Stains soft contact lessons

• Pain in your lower back or side

• Blue or purple appearance on your skin 

• Rapid weight gain

This is not a complete list of side effects. Contact your doctor if you notice any other side effects of taking the drugs

Is It Safe To Breastfeed When I Have UTI

It is safe to breastfeed infants when you have UT infections. Breastfeeding while infected does not pose a risk to the baby. If you need a medication or antibiotic to treat an infection consult with your doctor before taking any. 

Treating UTIs While Breastfeeding

An antibiotic that is safe for mother and child is of utmost importance. As a lactating mom, only go for therapies that are not only effective for you but also safe for breastfeeding infants.

No research or studies have addressed the safety of most UTI treatments, especially AZO in breastfeeding moms and babies but to be extra cautious, The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs considers the following antibodies to be compatible with breastfeeding

• Ciprofloxacin

• Ofloxacin

• Nitrofurantoin

• TMP/SMX (Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole)

Research considers TMP/SMX to be compatible with breastfeeding but cautions against sulfamethoxazole use in infants with known G6PD deficiency. 

Early treatment of a UTI is important as it prevents further complications and provides quick relief.

Natural Ways To Treat UTIs When Breastfeeding 

1. Eating healthy

Eating healthy fats like cod liver, raw butter, hemp, and chia seeds can help balance hormones. They can also keep your blood sugar level stable.

2. Cranberry juice or extract

Cranberry juice is one of our common and well-known treatments for treating UTIs. Cranberries work by helping prevent bacteria from going into the urinary tract.

While some studies suggest that cranberry juice may not be as effective in the prevention and treatment of UTIs, the analysis showed that supplements containing cranberries reduced the effects of UTIs significantly.

Furthermore, the benefits of cranberry juice are evident in unsweetened varieties rather than in sweetened ones. 

3. Drink fluids

Dehydration often increases the risk of UTIs. Staying hydrated means regular urination, and urinating frequently can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract before it even becomes an infection. Always drink water throughout the day and every time you get thirsty to stay hydrated.

4. Increase vitamin C intake

Vitamin C helps by increasing the acidity of your urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin c and can increase your intake.

5. Practice good hygiene

Preventing UTIs starts with practicing good hygiene. Do not hold your urine for too long. It can lead to the buildup of bacteria that can lead to infections.

Always pee after having sexual intercourse, it reduces the risk by preventing the spread of bacteria. Wipe from front to back after using the toilet. A back-to-front wipe can introduce unwanted bacteria into the urinary tract. 

Natural supplements like;

• D-Mannose: D-Mannose is sugar that is found in cranberries. It is effective in treating and preventing UTIs

• Garlic extract: garlic extracts have been proven to have antimicrobial properties that may be able to prevent the growth of bacteria. 

Sometimes you can get rid of a UTI by resting, drinking lots of fluids, taking supplements, and giving your body time to heal on its own. However, it is best to not take a ‘wait and see’ approach.  Home remedies and precautions can do a lot in preventing UTIs, but they cannot always completely heal your infection. 

A urinary tract infection is an unfortunate incident that can be a real pain. The frustrating thing about UTI is the constant worry about how it will affect your baby’s health. As a nursing mom, battling an infection or anything that has a negative impact on your baby’s health is your primary concern.

Finally

UTIs can be bothersome, but they usually have little effect on breastfeeding mothers and their babies. While they can impact the milk supply, they rarely harm the baby.

Many women consider taking Phenazopyridine AZO, a popular over-the-counter medication, when they have UTIs. However, they often wonder if it is safe to take while nursing.

Unfortunately, AZO has not been established as safe for infants who are breastfeeding. There haven’t been enough studies to show that AZO is safe, making it unsuitable for lactating mothers. You cannot safely take AZO while nursing since it belongs to the class of medications called sulfonamides, which can cause severe side effects in breastfed infants.

If you have UTIs, the best treatment is usually antibiotics. There are some antibiotics that are safe for breastfeeding. Always consult your trusted healthcare provider for advice and the correct administration of drugs.