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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular over-the-counter drugs have been tied to cancer
Popular over-the-counter drugs used to treat uncomfortable urinary tract infections may come with a potential cancer risk. The drug is called phenazopyridine hydrochloride and is found in many pills - both generic and name-brand - that are used to treat a urinary tract infection. Women are typically at a higher risk than men for those kinds of infections. The pill, many of which sell for less than $15, are used to help reduce pain, burning and irritation associated with the infections. They promise relief in as little as 20 minutes. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride has been used for decades and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Now, recent studies have raised questions about its use. 'There is no need for this drug,' Rita Jew, who serves as the president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, told Bloomberg. 'The data available from epidemiological studies are inadequate to evaluate the relationship between human cancer and exposure specifically to phenazopyridine hydrochloride,' the report said. There are more than 8 million related visits to healthcare providers in the U.S. each year to treat a UTI, according to the American Urological Association. Many people experience repeat infections, and around 60 percent of women and 12 percent of men will have at least one UTI during their lifetimes. But, even the labels on the drugs recognize that there is risk associated with the products. 'This product contains Phenazopyridine hydrochloride, known to the State of California to cause cancer,' the AZO label says. 'Long-term administration of phenazopyridine HCl has induced neoplasia in rats (large intestine) and mice (liver). Although no association between phenazopyridine HCl and human neoplasia has been reported, adequate epidemiological studies along these lines have not been conducted,' the URISTAT Pain Relief Tablet box notes. Neoplasia is the abnormal growth of cells. It was also listed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Service as a hazardous substance in 2001. Bloomberg also flagged that Phenazopyridine hydrochloride has been blamed for masking serious infections, slowing breathing, upset stomach and reddish-orange urine One adverse effect, known as methaemoglobinaemia, is rare but can be life-threatening. Still, even physicians may not have heard about the ties to cancer. 'It's the first time I'm even hearing about this. I'm totally unaware,' New York-based gynecologist Steven Goldstein told Bloomberg.
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Warning as common over-the-counter drug taken by millions globally is ‘linked to cancer'
A COMMON over-the counter medication that's been available for decades and is taken by millions worldwide has been singled out for its possible cancer risk. Phenazopyridine, typically sold under brand names like Pyridium or Safrel and generally available over-the-counter in pharmacies and some supermarkets, is used to relieve symptoms caused by 2 Phenazopyridine has been linked to liver and bowel tumours in animal studies Credit: Getty It works by numbing the lining of the urinary tract, decreasing burning, irritation and discomfort. But over the years, experts have warned the drug could cause cancer based on early evidence from animal studies. After a study published in 2021, the National Institutes for Health (NIH) warned dietary exposure to phenazopyridine caused tumours in two rodent species in two different tissue sites. Benign and malignant liver tumours were found in female mice, while benign and malignant bowel tumours were discovered in both sexes. Read more on UTIs It was noted while animal studies don't prove a direct link between human cancer and exposure to phenazopyridine, it is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen". Phenazopyridine is available over the counter in the UK, but also by prescription in higher strengths. Potential side effects include chest tightness, dizziness, More severe adverse reactions may include seizures, trouble breathing, and unusual bleeding or bruising. Most read in Health Rita Jew, president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, said personally she wouldn't advise taking phenazopyridine. She told : "There is no need for this drug. " Mum left in excruciating pain and unable to walk after taking just 3 antibiotic pills to treat UTI In the UK, it's estimated that up to 1.7 million women experience chronic UTIs, and a significant number of men and children also suffer. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enters through the tube that carries pee out of the body, known as the urethra. Women are more susceptible due to their shorter urethra, which gives bacteria a shorter path to the bladder. Several factors can Hygiene practices, age, and certain medical conditions also play a role. 2 Phenazopyridine is used to relieve the pain, burning, and discomfort caused by infection or irritation of the urinary tract, but antibiotics is the most common treatment Credit: Getty The most common treatment for UTIs is a short course of antibiotics. Remedies containing a mix of methenamine and sodium salicylate are seen as an alternative to phenazopyridine. New York-based gynecologist Steven Goldstein, who recommends the medication to patients while they're awaiting the results of urine tests, said he was unaware of the cancer links. "It's the first time I'm even hearing about this. I'm totally unaware," he told Bloomberg. The Sun has reached out to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on phenazopyridine and its safety as a UTI medication. Do you have a UTI and how should you treat it? Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include: pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria) needing to pee more often than usual needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia) needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual pee that looks cloudy blood in your pee lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery a very low temperature below 36C Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water. Children with UTIs may also: have a high temperature – your child is feeling hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy appear generally unwell – babies and young children may be irritable and not feed or eat properly wet the bed or wet themselves be sick If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms, see your GP. If a GP thinks you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may do a urine test, although this is not always needed. A GP may also: offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkiller give you a prescription for a short course of antibiotics give you a prescription for antibiotics, but suggest you wait for 48 hours before taking them in case your symptoms go away on their own It's important to take all the medicine you're prescribed, even if you start to feel better. If UTIs keep coming back, your GP may: prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months prescribe a vaginal cream, gel, tablet, pessary or ring containing oestrogen, if you are in perimenopause or have gone through the menopause prescribe tablets that treat the infection and stop it from coming back refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments Source: NHS
CBS News
10-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Chiefs miss shot at "Three-Peat" as Eagles fly
By Steven Goldstein Updated on: February 10, 2025 / 2:37 PM EST / CBS Miami In the end the Kansas City Chiefs just couldn't "Shake It Off." With Taylor Swift looking on, the Philadelphia Eagles ruined her post game party with Travis Kelce and denied KC the first "Three-Peat" in Super Bowl history. The Eagles took Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans in a convincing fashion, 40-22. Go Birds The city of Philadelphia is going wild in preparation for a Super Bowl parade . While in general Philly fans are often criticized around the country for being brash (to put it nicely), there's no questioning their passion and loyalty for their hometown teams. This year's Eagles team, with all of its star players and master roster builder Howie Roseman as general manager, has given them the thrill of a lifetime. Vic Fangio is a Super Bowl champion A year ago he was the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Vic Fangio moved on and he engineered a championship season for the Eagles' defense. Remarkably, they did not blitz Patrick Mahomes one time during the Super Bowl and still were able to throttle the high powered Chiefs' offense. Of course, it all starts with the players and particularly those up front that can bring pressure without extra bodies. But make no mistake, Fangio's schemes and experience were a big part of the Eagles' success. Saquon Barkley proves value to Eagles When a team wins a championship everybody looks at how that team plays, how it was built and to an extent tries to emulate the process. Over the last number of years running backs have been minimized in the NFL. Saqoun Barkley left the Giants for Philadelphia as a free agent due to the Giants not thinking he, nor his position, was worth the money. The Eagles gave him what was considered a huge contract at $12 million per year. He had perhaps the greatest season a running back has ever had and without him the Eagles may not be the champs. But think about that salary. Quarterbacks are making five times that amount and the top wide receivers and cornerbacks are at two and a half times more. Perhaps now running backs will be viewed as more valuable by NFL teams. Then there's the case of the Philadelphia offensive line who blocked for Barkley all season. They are some of the largest human beings you will ever encounter. Teams that try to stretch the game and predicate most of their offense on finesse may now trend towards beefing up in the trenches. In: Kansas City Chiefs Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Steven Goldstein Steven "Goldie" Goldstein is a sports broadcasting veteran and trusted voice in South Florida. He joined CBS4 as a sports anchor/reporter, commentator and occasional news anchor in 2015.
