Anyone who has experienced a urinary tract infection (or UTI) knows that the burning sensation and pain can be unbearable. UTI sufferers seek out quick and effective relief, but are often required to wait days before an appointment is open with their healthcare provider. There are not many over the counter options to soothe the pain, let alone a product that contains an antibacterial agent to stop the infection from getting worse. However, Cystex claims to do just that.
What Is Cystex?
To be clear, Cystex does not purport to cure UTIs, but rather it provides relief during the few days that sufferers may be required to wait until they are able to see their doctor. There does not currently exist any product on the market that is sold without a prescription to self-treat or cure UTIs. The only remedy available to properly treat an infection is to visit a healthcare provider and receive a prescription medication.
Cystex Plus, a Clarion Brand product, is available at popular drugstores such as:
- Walgreens
- CVS Pharmacy
- Rite Aid
- Duane Reade
It can also be purchased online at Amazon, Drugstore.com, MyOTCStore.com, and the manufacturer’s web site. A single pack of Cystex containing forty tablets ranges in price at online stores from under $5.50 to around $10.00 plus shipping costs. At physical stores, the price varies by store and location, but is slightly higher than online base prices. Some pharmacies also offer discounts on Cystex through reward or loyalty cards.
Cystex Tablets Vs. Cystex Drink
Cystex is available in both tablet and liquid form, but each product offers a different option for sufferers of urinary tract infections. The tablets are for individuals who are currently suffering from a UTI. The liquid form was created as a daily supplement to help maintain urinary tract health.
Cystex Plus Urinary Pain Relief Tablets help relieve active UTIs. Many reviewers on Amazon note that they keep this product in their medicine cabinet for emergencies. They report that they begin the treatment at the first signs of an infection to stave off any pain. Some users feel instant relief from symptoms, while others claim that it takes up to three days before the medicine takes effect.
The Cystex tablets contain methenamine, an antibacterial agent that can help prevent the infection from worsening before it can be treated by a physician. The tablets also contain sodium salicylate, a non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory analgesic that is commonly used in medicines to fight pain. The manufacturer claims that unlike some other over the counter UTI medications, Cystex tablets do not alter the color of one’s urine.
Maintaining A Healthy Urinary Tract
In addition to offering relief for active sufferers of a urinary tract infection, Cystex also offers a product that can benefit urinary health when used daily. Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex contains four key agents that actively maintain a healthy urinary tract.
- Prebiotic: helps to promote healthy bacteria
- Anti-inflammatory: can assist in the prevention of tissue damage
- Anti-adherent: helps prevent bad bacteria from staying in the body
- Anti-oxidant: helps remove oxidizing agents that can potentially damage the body
The company suggests that one tablespoon per day can be effective in maintaining urinary health and potentially preventing urinary tract infections.
Infrequent Side Effects
Like all medicines, Cystex users may experience side effects that range in severity.
Infrequently, users experience the less severe side effects of the methenamine and benzoic acid in Cystex Plus.
These symptoms include:
- A rash
- Excess stomach acid secretions and conditions related to it
- The urge to vomit
- Heartburn
- Irritation of the stomach and intestines
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
Cystex Rare Side Effects
Rarely, users may have difficult or painful urination or itching while using this product. Severe side effects are also rare, but possible. Visit the emergency room or call 911 if severe symptoms, such as the following, occur.
- Ruptured stomach wall or intestine
- Anemia
- Stomach or intestinal bleeding
- Breathing issues, including wheezing, the sensation not being able to inhale properly, or bronchospasm, which makes breathing difficult,
- Giant hives
- Hemolytic anemia
- An allergic reaction resulting in skin inflammation, redness of the skin, or death
- Ulcer in the stomach or intestines
UTI Symptoms
If one experiences symptoms of a UTI, it is important to immediately schedule an appointment with a physician. Symptoms can include:
- A burning feeling while urinating
- A frequent or intense urge to urinate
- The passing of little urine, even with an intense urge to go
- Pain or pressure in the back or lower abdomen
- Dark, smelly, cloudy, or bloody urine
- Shakiness or a feeling of being tired
If the infection has traveled to the kidneys, one may also experience a fever or chills.
What To Expect With A Urinary Tract Infection
At the onset of UTI symptoms, individuals should immediately contact their doctor for treatment. Cystex or other over the counter treatments can be taken to relieve pain in the meantime. The physician will request a urine sample from the patient to test for the presence of the bacteria that causes UTIs. If an infection is discovered, the physician will then prescribe antibiotics.
As always, antibiotics must be taken exactly as prescribed in order to effectively flush out the invading bacteria. Patients must continue to take the medication until the prescription is completely gone, or the UTI may return and cause additional problems. Physicians also recommend drinking plenty of water to help remove the bacteria from your body. Continue taking the over-the-counter UTI pain reliever or ask your doctor for a stronger medication to help ease any pain. Resting on a heating pad may also soothe the area.
Cystex Review – The Bottom Line
While Cystex does not work for everyone, the majority of users find it an effective choice. Most customers report that it is one of the best options for over the counter relief from pain and discomfort associated with urinary tract infections. A few Amazon reviewers found that the product either did not work or they experienced severe side effects. However, overall reports appear to validate the manufacturer’s claims that Cystex helps ease pain associated with UTIs.
I don’t know about everyone else, but Cystex really helped me when I didn’t want a lot of people knowing that I had a UTI. My family would have went crazy and my boyfriend probably would have dumped me. I went online and read some reviews about Cystex and found that many people were having the same problems that I was. When I realized what was my UTI causes, I started to get smart about what I was doing wrong. I first got rid of the bring and the UTI. I went to the local Walgreen’s and picked up Cystex’s tablets. In two days the UTI was gone. My boyfriend was wondering why we weren’t having sex, but he didn’t know what was going on, so I played stupid. Next, I went and got their cranberry complex too, I figured why not because the tablets worked so well. This was even better! I have been having constant sex and still UTI free for over a year. All I do is drink one of the cranberry complex a month. Awesome product that literally saved my social an physical life.