Methenamine: Package Insert / Prescribing Info

Methenamine Description

Each white to off-white capsule-shaped tablet contains 1 g Methenamine Hippurate USP which is the Hippuric Acid Salt of Methenamine (hexamethylene tetramine). The tablet also contains inactive ingredients Colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate and povidone K90.

ACTIONS

Microbiology:Methenamine hippurate has antibacterial activity because the methenamine component is hydrolyzed to formaldehyde in acid urine. Hippuric acid, the other component, has some antibacterial activity and also acts to keep the urine acid. The drug is generally active against E. coli,enterococci and staphylococci. Enterobacter aerogenesis generally resistant. The urine must be kept sufficiently acid for urea-splitting organisms such as Proteusand Pseudomonasto be inhibited.

Susceptibility Testing

For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.

Human Pharmacology:Within 1/2 hour after ingestion of a single 1-gram dose of methenamine hippurate, antibacterial activity is demonstrable in the urine. Urine has continuous antibacterial activity when methenamine hippurate is administered at the recommended dosage schedule of 1 gram twice daily. Over 90% of methenamine moiety is excreted in the urine within 24 hours after administration of a single 1-gram dose. Similarly, the hippurate moiety is rapidly absorbed and excreted, and it reaches the urine by both tubular secretion and glomerular filtration. This action may be important in older patients or in those with some degree of renal impairment.

Indications and Usage for Methenamine

Methenamine hippurate tablets USP are indicated for prophylactic or suppressive treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections when long-term therapy is considered necessary. This drug should only be used after eradication of the infection by other appropriate antimicrobial agents.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of methenamine hippurate and other antibacterial drugs, methenamine hippurate should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Contraindications

Methenamine hippurate tablets USP are contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency, or severe dehydration. Methenamine preparations should not be given to patients taking sulfonamides because some sulfonamides may form an insoluble precipitate with formaldehyde in the urine.

Warnings

Large doses of methenamine (8 grams daily for 3 to 4 weeks) have caused bladder irritation, painful and frequent micturition, albuminuria, and gross hematuria.

Precautions

Prescribing methenamine hippurate in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

1. Care should be taken to maintain an acid pH of the urine, especially when treating infections due to urea-splitting organisms such as Proteusand strains of Pseudomonas.
2. In a few instances in one study, the serum transaminase levels were slightly elevated during treatment but returned to normal while the patients were still taking methenamine hippurate. Because of this report, it is recommended that liver function studies be performed periodically on patients taking the drug, especially those with liver dysfunction.
3. Use in Pregnancy: In early pregnancy the safe use of methenamine hippurate is not established. In the last trimester, safety is suggested, but not definitely proved. No adverse effects on the fetus were seen in studies in pregnant rats and rabbits. Methenamine hippurate taken during pregnancy can interfere with laboratory tests of urine estriol (resulting in unmeasurably low values) when acid hydrolysis is used in the laboratory procedure. This interference is due to the presence in the urine of methenamine and/or formaldehyde. Enzymatic hydrolysis, in place of acid hydrolysis, will circumvent this problem.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Minor adverse reactions have been reported in less than 3.5% of patients treated. These reactions have included nausea, upset stomach, dysuria, and rash.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Micro Labs USA Inc. at 1-855-839-8195 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Related/similar drugs

Methenamine Dosage and Administration

1 tablet (1 g) twice daily (morning and night) for adults and pediatric patients over 12 years of age. 1/2 to 1 tablet (0.5 to 1 g) twice daily (morning and night) for pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age. Since the antibacterial activity of methenamine hippurate is greater in acid urine, restriction of alkalinizing foods and medications is desirable. If necessary, as indicated by urinary pH and clinical response, supplemental acidification of the urine should be instituted. The efficacy of therapy should be monitored by repeated urine cultures.

How is Methenamine supplied

White to off white colored, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets, debossed with "H" and "1" on either side of breakline on one side and other side plain with approximate length 20.00 mm, width 8.00 mm and thickness 7.40 mm.

Bottles of 100 NDC 42571-332-01
Carton of 80 (8 x10) Unit-dose Tablets NDC 42571-332-23

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Dispense in well-closed, light-resistant container with child-resistant closure.

Manufactured by:
Micro Labs Limited
Goa-403 722, INDIA.

Manufactured for:
Micro Labs USA, Inc.
Somerset, NJ 08873

Rev.10/2021

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 42571-332-01
Methenamine Hippurate
Tablets, USP
1 g
Rx Only
100 Tablets
Micro labs Limited