Methaemoglobinaemia Produced by Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) in a Man with Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease

Abstract

Life threatening methaemoglobinaemia developed after prolonged therapeutic use of phenazopyridine (Pyridium) in a patient with chronic obstructive airways disease. The combination of chronic obstructive airways disease and oxidant drugs (methaemoglobinaemia) may be lethal. The use of phenazopyridine should be abandoned. Certainly there is no indication to use it for more than a few days in any patient.