Is AZO Safe To Take While Breastfeeding?

When breastfeeding, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the meds you take that could get into your breast milk and potentially harm your baby.

If you have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), you might be looking to take Phenazopyridine, a popular over-the-counter med commonly known as AZO.

While AZO doesn’t cure the infection or underlying cause of the UTI, it’s taken to provide relief for the symptoms (it helps with the spasms that causes pain and burning).

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Can I Take AZO While Breastfeeding?

No.  AZO (the box specifically for Urinary Pain Relief — Maximum Strength) is NOT a safe medication to take while breastfeeding.

The active ingredient is Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride which gets into your breast milk (and actually turns it orange). 

It may cause severe side effects in infants who are breastfed and should be avoided while breastfeeding, especially for infants less than 4 weeks old. 

AZO does have one product for UTIs that’s safe to take while breastfeeding. It’s THIS SUPPLEMENT, which helps speed up the healing process.

Potential harmful effects of taking AZO while breastfeeding

Hemolytic Anemia

A disorder which destroys an excessive amount of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

Methemoglobinemia

A blood disorder where too much methemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin) is produced.

Sulfhemoglobinemia

A disorder that makes hemoglobin incapable of transporting oxygen throughout the body.

How To Treat A UTI While Breastfeeding

Early treatment of a UTI is important to prevent serious problems and to provide fast relief. 

Reach out to your healthcare provider. They’ll likely put you on an antibiotic regimen that is safe to take while you’re breastfeeding to treat the underlying infection.

If you’d like to speed up treatment, taking this cranberry supplement can be helpful!

Natural Ways To Treat A UTI While Breastfeeding

After you make an appointment with your healthcare provider, there are a couple natural things you can try at home to help fight off the infection more quickly.  

• Drink plenty of water.  Hydrating can help flush the bacteria out of your urinary tract.

• Drink Cranberry Juice. It contains powerful antibiotics to prevent harmful cells from attaching to your urinary tract.  You can also take cranberry pills. (a secret, easy way to flush out bacteria)

Tips To Avoid Future UTIs While Breastfeeding

• Always wipe from front to back. This will decrease the chances of harmful bacteria getting into your urethra.

• Pee before and after sex.  This helps flush any bacteria out of the urethra.  

• Use a condom during sex if you’re prone to UTIs.  A condom provides a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering your urethra.

• Take probiotics daily.  

PRO-TIP: If you’re prescribed antibiotics for your UTI, be sure to also take a probiotic because antibiotics kill all bacteria in your body. (including the good bacteria).

THIS PROBIOTIC is made specifically for breastfeeding moms.

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