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:
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
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.