Hiprex

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Active ingredient: Methenamine hippurate

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Hiprex. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Hiprex.
Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Hiprex?

Hiprex contains the active ingredient methenamine hippurate. Hiprex is a urinary antibacterial agent.
Hiprex is used for prevention or suppression of bacteria in the urine that can cause chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

2. What should I know before I use Hiprex?

Warnings

Do not use Hiprex if:

you are allergic to methenamine hippurate, formaldehyde, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have severe (kidney failure, a kidney infection, severe dehydration or gout.
you have neurogenic bladder, renal tract abnormalities or are using long-term catheters.
you have severe liver impairment or metabolic acidosis.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you:

have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
are experiencing frequent or recurring urinary tract infections.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Methenamine is found in breast milk in very small amounts.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Hiprex and affect how it works.
Medicines that may reduce the effect of Hiprex include:
Alkalising agents and antacids.
As Hiprex breaks down to formaldehyde under acidic conditions in urine, using urinary alkalising agents such as potassium citrate, or antacid medicines may reduce its effectiveness and should be avoided.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Hiprex.

4. How do I use Hiprex?

How much to take

Adults and Children 12 years or older: Take 1 tablet twice daily, with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
Not recommended for use in children under 12 years.
Follow the instructions provided with the medicine.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

If you use too much Hiprex

If you think that you have used too much Hiprex, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using Hiprex?

Things you should do

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Hiprex.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Hiprex affects you.
Hiprex is not expected to have any effect on your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Looking after your medicine

Store below 30 °C. Keep bottle tightly closed and airtight. This medicine contains a desiccant cannister to protect the product from moisture. The desiccant is not intended for consumption.
Follow the instructions on the bottle on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects
What to do
Painful or difficult urination
Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or stomach irritation
Itchy skin or rashes
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects
What to do
Blood in urine (haematuria)
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

7. Product details

This medicine is available over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription.

What Hiprex contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
Methenamine hippurate
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
Colloidal anhydrous silica
Povidone
Magnesium stearate
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Hiprex looks like

Hiprex is a white, oblong-shaped tablet, coded HX with a score line on one side and plain on the other side.
Registration number AUST R 10558

Who distributes Hiprex

iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 10, 12 Help Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
Tel: 1800 630 056
This leaflet was prepared in August 2025.

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