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Consumer Knowledge of Over-the-Counter Phenazopyridine

¹ Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, Calif
² RAND, Santa Monica, Calif
³ Veteran’s Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, Calif
⁴ Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif
⁵ Institute of Social Science Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif
⁶ Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif
⁷ Department of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Chih-Wen Shi, MD, MSHS, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, Mailcode-0807, La Jolla, CA 92093, cwshi{at}ucsd.edu

BACKGROUND Effective use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications depends on purchasers’ knowledge of their indications. This study examines consumer knowledge regarding the urinary tract analgesic phenazopyridine, which recently became available without prescription.

METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a stratified cluster random sample of purchasers of OTC phenazopyridine (N = 434) in 31 Los Angeles retail pharmacies.

RESULTS The response rate was 58%. Only 29% correctly characterized the likely cause of their symptoms, and only 57% correctly characterized the action of the drug. Worse consumer knowledge was associated with nonwhite race, first-time use, and less contact with health providers.

CONCLUSION Many consumers possess poor knowledge about phenazopyridine, potentially leading to undertreatment, especially in groups with worse access to care.

Key Words: Pharmacy • survey • over-the-counter drugs • phenazopyridine

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