Pricing
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All price changes →Indications & Uses
Methenamine Hippurate is used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Doctors give it as maintenance therapy after acute infections have been treated successfully with antibiotics at the start. It is also used as long-term therapy to prevent recurrent cystitis. It can help suppress urinary infection in patients with indwelling catheters, and it reduces how often the catheter becomes blocked. Another use is to give protection against infection entering the urinary tract during instrumental procedures. It is also indicated for asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Pharmacology
Methenamine is a heterocyclic organic compound with a cage-like structure, similar to adamantane. It is used in salt form to treat urinary tract infection. Methenamine hippurate is one example, and it is the hippuric acid salt of methenamine.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Adults and children over 12 years of age take one tablet (1 g) twice daily. For children aged 6 to 12 years, the dose is one-half tablet or one tablet (0.5 or 1 g) twice daily.
Methenamine works better against bacteria when the urine is acid. So it's best to avoid foods and medicines that make the urine alkaline. If needed, based on the urinary pH and how the patient is responding, extra measures to acidify the urine may be added. Repeated urine cultures should be done to check whether the treatment is working.
Side Effects
Side effects from Methenamine Hippurate have been reported in fewer than 3.5% of patients treated. From most to least common, these were nausea and vomiting, and then, rarely, pruritus, rash and dysuria. Children have also been given Methenamine Hippurate at the recommended doses. They took it as a preventive (suppressive) course after their first treatment for acute episodes of pyuria. Only 1.1% of these children had side effects.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Giving Methenamine Hippurate when there is no proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection, and no preventive reason to use it, is unlikely to help the patient. It also raises the risk of drug-resistant bacteria developing. Take care to keep the urine acidic, especially when treating infections caused by urea-splitting organisms such as Proteus and strains of Pseudomonas. In one study, a few patients had slightly raised serum transaminase levels during treatment. The levels returned to normal while those patients were still taking Methenamine Hippurate. Because of this report, liver function tests are recommended from time to time for people taking the medicine, especially those with liver dysfunction.
Contraindications
Methenamine Hippurate should not be given to people with renal insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency or severe dehydration. It also shouldn't be the only treatment in acute parenchymal infections that cause systemic symptoms.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Teratogenic effects. Pregnancy category C. Methenamine was given by mouth to pregnant dogs at doses equal to the human dose, and this has been reported to cause a slight increase in stillbirths and a slight impairment of weight gain and survival in the live-born offspring. In a teratogenicity study called A4, pregnant rabbits were given methenamine at doses of about 3 times the human dose, and there was no sign of harm to the fetus. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. So Methenamine should be used in pregnancy only if the possible benefit justifies the possible risk to the fetus.
Methenamine passes into human milk. Because nursing infants could have serious adverse reactions, a decision should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop the medicine, taking into account how important the medicine is to the mother.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
If someone takes too much Methenamine Hippurate, act straight away to limit how much more of the drug is absorbed. Vomiting can be induced, or the stomach can be washed out (gastric lavage), and activated charcoal is given afterwards. Fluids should also be given, by mouth or by drip, and pushed as far as the patient can tolerate.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Methenamine Hippurate below 30°C, away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Common questions about Hipomax 1 gm
What is Hipomax 1 gm Tablet?
Hipomax 1 gm Tablet is a medicine that contains Methenamine Hippurate. It is made by Nuvista Pharma PLC. It belongs to the Other genito-urinary preparations group of medicines.
What is Hipomax used for?
Methenamine Hippurate is used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Doctors give it as maintenance therapy after acute infections have been treated successfully with antibiotics at the start.
What are the side effects of Hipomax?
Side effects from Methenamine Hippurate have been reported in fewer than 3.5% of patients treated. From most to least common, these were nausea and vomiting, and then, rarely, pruritus, rash and dysuria.
Can I take Hipomax during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Teratogenic effects. Pregnancy category C. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Hipomax?
If someone takes too much Methenamine Hippurate, act straight away to limit how much more of the drug is absorbed. Vomiting can be induced, or the stomach can be washed out (gastric lavage), and activated charcoal is given afterwards. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Hipomax?
Store Methenamine Hippurate below 30°C, away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Hipomax is already among the lowest-priced brands of Methenamine Hippurate at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Hipomax?
Hipomax is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.