Recently, there’s been a lot of positive buzz in UTI support groups about a new treatment called “Hiprex.” This medication is helping women recover from long-term UTIs.
It’s important to know exactly how this medication works, when it should be used, and what alternatives exist.
Fact 1: Hiprex is a prescription medication.
Hiprex is the brand name for methenamine hippurate. It is crucial to use this medication only under a doctor’s supervision.
Some companies sell this medication over the counter, but these products should not be trusted.
Fact 2: Hiprex is an “antibacterial” agent, not an antibiotic.
Antibiotics kill the bacteria they encounter in the bladder, whereas an antibacterial agent like Hiprex works differently. It prevents new infections.
Therefore, you wouldn’t take “Hiprex” to clear up an Active UTI. Your doctor would prescribe antibiotics first, and once the infection is cleared, Hiprex might be prescribed.
Fact 3: Hiprex is typically only prescribed to patients who are suffering from a series of recurring UTIs.
Patients who have had three or more UTIs in the past year are considered chronic UTI patients. This means something in their system allows infections to reoccur after completing antibiotics treatment.
An embedded UTI might be the cause, where bacteria burrow into the bladder lining and cover themselves with a biofilm. This biofilm protects the bacteria from antibiotics.
Hiprex helps by creating a hostile environment in the urine, preventing emerging bacteria from surviving.
Fact 4: Hiprex Coverts Your Urine Into Formaldehyde
Yes, formaldehyde. When taken orally, methenamine is metabolized by the liver into formaldehyde, which is then released into the urine.
Formaldehyde is a strong antimicrobial agent that helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria causing UTIs. It also disrupts the formation of biofilms in the bladder.
Additionally, Hiprex keeps the urine acidic, creating an environment less conducive to bacterial growth.
Patients should avoid foods and drinks that make the urine more alkaline, such as citrus fruits, dairy products, and antacids. Examples are citrus fruits, dairy products, and antacids.
Fact 5: Antibiotics Plus Hiprex Is The Doctor’s Only Solution For Chronic UTIs Today, But Be Aware Of Long-Term Effects
The combination of antibiotics and Hiprex is what doctors are using most often today to combat chronic UTIs. That’s because both have been approved by the FDA.
Dr. James Malone-Lee, a urologist and researcher in the U.K. and author of the book “Cystitis Unmasked”, has studied this combination of drugsfec for several years among his chronic UTI patients. He firmly believes that, over time, this is the best combination. However, he has carefully supervised each patient’s progress toward recovery with rigorous testing, sometimes over several years.
While Hiprex is generally considered safe and effective when used as directed, like any medication, there can be potential risks associated with long-term use.
Some of the potential risks associated with long-term use of Hiprex include:
- Kidney damage: Prolonged use of Hiprex can lead to the formation of kidney stones, which can damage the kidneys and potentially cause kidney failure.
- Liver damage: In rare cases, Hiprex can cause liver damage or liver failure, especially in people who have a history of liver problems.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to Hiprex, and long-term use can increase the risk of developing an allergic reaction.
- Changes in blood chemistry: Long-term use of Hiprex can cause changes in the levels of certain electrolytes in the blood, which can lead to problems such as muscle weakness, confusion, and irregular heartbeat.
Fact 6: There Are Two Natural Products Which Are Proven To Stop Chronic UTIs Just As Effectively
Doctors have recently begun to recommend that chronic patients try two natural supplements which have now been proven to stop chronic UTIs.
D-Mannose powder works as effectively as antibiotics to clear up an Active UTI by naturally flushing the bacteria out with the urine. Learn more about D-Mannose here.
And Cranberry Plus, an extract which delivers a high dose of PAC’s (proanthocyanidins) daily, has been proven as effective as Hiprex in preventing new bacteria from taking hold in the bladder.
These natural products, both extracted from fruits, are preferred because they do not cause the negative effects on the digestive, urinary systems and vaginal systems.
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As A CRONIC UTI patient of 85 years I am so sick of having this, I’m going to show this information to my doctor. I live in senior facility and I’m sure they do the best they know, but it NEVER goes away. I’ll let you know the outcome. Thank you.