There’s a lot of positive buzz in UTI support groups these days about a new UTI treatment known as “hiprex” which 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 actually the brand name for a medication known as methenamine hippurate.
As you read how Hiprex works below, you will understand why this medication should only be used while under the care of a doctor.
There are some companies which are selling this medication over the counter. Do not trust them, or their products.
Fact 2: Hiprex is an “antibacterial” agent, not an antibiotic.
Antibiotics kill the bacteria that they encounter in the bladder. An antibacterial agent works differently – it prevents new infections,
So, you would not take “Hiprex” to clear up an Active UTI. Your doctor would prescribe antibiotics first. And once the infection is proven to be cleared up, he/she might prescribe Hiprex.
Fact 3: Hiprex is typically only prescribed to patients who are suffering from a series of recurring UTIs.
If you’ve had 3 or more UTIs in the past year, you are a “chronic” UTI patient. This means that something is remaining in your system after you’ve completed the antibiotics treatment which is allowing another infection to start up again.
It could be that you have an “embedded UTI”, which means that the bacteria have burrowed into your bladder lining and covered themselves with a slimy sac known as a “biofilm”, which prevents antibiotics from killing them. They remain there protected, they mutate and they continue to send out new emissaries after the antibiotics have left your system.
The scientific theory is that is you are taking Hiprex, it will create a hostile environment in your urine so that these emerging bacteria cannot survive.
Fact 4: Hiprex Coverts Your Urine Into Formaldehyde
Yes, that’s right, formaldehyde. Here’s how I it works. 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 to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria that can cause UTIs. It also helps to prevent the formation of biofilms in the bladder by disrupting the ability of bacteria to attach to the bladder wall.
Hiprex keeps the urine acidic which creates an environment that is less conducive to bacterial growth. The acidity of the urine can be monitored with a pH test using teststrips.
In order to maintain the right level of acidity, patients who are taking Hiprex should avoid consuming foods and drinks that can make the urine more alkaline. 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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