Two medicines, side by side
Phenazopyridine vs nitrofurantoin
Phenazopyridine and nitrofurantoin are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Pharmacies paid $0.154 per phenazopyridine 100 mg tablet and $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the phenazopyridine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 14, 2026); the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026).
Highlights of the phenazopyridine record
Phenazopyridine · label of July 14, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPhenazopyridine HCl is indicated for the symptomatic relief of pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other discomforts arising from irritation of the lower urinary tract mucosa caused by infection, trauma, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or the passage of sounds or catheters. The use of Phenazopyridine HCl for relief of symptoms should not delay definitive diagnosis and treatment of causative conditions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.154 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Phenazopyridine label of July 14, 2026, Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do phenazopyridine and nitrofurantoin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Phenazopyridine, “is not known.”; Nitrofurantoin, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials.”
Generics: phenazopyridine none approved; nitrofurantoin since 1970 (Drugs@FDA).
| Phenazopyridine | Nitrofurantoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Nitrofuran Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | is not known. The pharmacokinetic properties of Phenazopyridine HCl have not been determined. Phenazopyridine HCl is rapidly excreted by the kidneys, with as much as 66% of an oral dose being excreted unchanged in the urine. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | February 6, 1953 |
| First generic approved | none | September 30, 1970 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.154 per tablet (Phenazopyridine 100 mg tablet) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,284 | 22,755 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to phenazopyridine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions