Methenamine
Methenamine Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Methenamine is a heterocyclic organic compound with a cage-like structure similar to adamantane. In salt form it is used for the treatment of urinary tract infection (Example: methenamine hippurate which is the hippuric acid salt of methenamine).
Ingestion of a 1-gram dose of methenamine hippurate produces antibacterial activity in the urine within 1/2 hour. Administration of 1 g twice daily produces continuous antibacterial activity in the urine.
| Trade Name | Methenamine |
| Availability | Rx and/or OTC |
| Generic | Methenamine |
| Methenamine Other Names | Hexamethylenamine, Hexamethylene tetramine, Hexamethylenetetramine, Hexamethylentetramin, Hexamethylentetraminum, Hexamine, Hexaminum, HMTA, metenamina, méthénamine, Methenamine, methenaminum |
| Related Drugs | amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, Augmentin, amoxicillin / clavulanate, nitrofurantoin, Keflex |
| Weight | hippurate1g, melate0.5g, melate1g, 0.12mg + 120mg + 10mg + 40.8mg, 0.12mg + 81.6mg + 10.8mg + 40.8mg, |
| Type | Oral Tablet, Oral Capsule, Oral |
| Formula | C6H12N4 |
| Weight | Average: 140.1863 Monoisotopic: 140.106196404 |
| Groups | Approved, Vet approved |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | United States |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Methenamine is a urinary tract antiseptic and antibacterial drug used for the prophylaxis and treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections requiring a long-term therapy.
For prophylactic or suppressive treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections when long-term therapy is considered necessary. This drug is not used to treat infection and should only be used after appropriate eradication of infection with antimicrobial agents.
Methenamine is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Urinary Tract Infection
How Methenamine works
Methenamine does not have antibacterial properties in an alkaline environment (pH≥6); however, in a more acidic environment (pH<6), methenamine is hydrolyzed to formaldehyde. (1) Formaldehyde is considered to be highly bactericidal. (1) Formaldehyde has nonspecific antibacterial activity and works by denaturing proteins and nucleic acid of bacteria. (1) Certain bacteria such as Proteus sp. can alkalize urine, inhibiting the beneficial activity of formaldehyde. (1) The key role of the salt component of the drug, for example hippuric acid, is to maintain the acidic state of the urine. (1)
Toxicity
Less than 3.5% of patients treated with this drug will experience minor adverse events such as upset stomach, dysuria, nausea, and rash.
Food Interaction
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Take with food.
Methenamine Drug Interaction
Unknown: aspirin, aspirin, duloxetine, duloxetine, apixaban, apixaban, polyethylene glycol 3350, polyethylene glycol 3350, mirabegron, mirabegron, levothyroxine, levothyroxine, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol
Methenamine Disease Interaction
Elimination Route
After oral administration, rapid absorption of methenamine occurs. (1)
Half Life
Elimination half-life = 3-4 hours assuming normal renal function. (1)
Clearance
70-90% of a single oral dose of methenamine is excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours. (1)
Elimination Route
Methenamine is primarily eliminated via the kidneys. (1)
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Methenamine
