Methenamine Hippurate (Methenamine Hippurate) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of methenamine hippurate tablets USP and other antibacterial drugs, methenamine hippurate tablets USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

DESCRIPTION

Methenamine hippurate tablets USP are available as 1 g oval shaped, scored and peach colored tablets. Chemically, methenamine hippurate is Hexamethylene-tetramine monohippurate. The molecular formula of methenamine hippurate is C₁₅H₂₁N₅O₃ and molecular weight is 319.36. Its structural formula is:

Each methenamine hippurate tablet USP intended for oral administration contains 1 g of methenamine hippurate. In addition, it also contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, povidone K29/32, saccharin sodium and FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake as a color additive.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Microbiology: Methenamine hippurate USP has antibacterial activity because the methenamine component is hydrolyzed to formaldehyde in acid urine. Hippuric acid, the other component, has some antibacterial activity and also acts to keep the urine acid. The drug is generally active against E. coli, enterococci and staphylococci. Enterobacter aerogenes is generally resistant. The urine must be kept sufficiently acid for urea-splitting organisms such as Proteus and Pseudomonas to be inhibited.

Human Pharmacology: Within 1/2 hour after ingestion of a single 1-gram dose of methenamine hippurate USP, antibacterial activity is demonstrable in the urine. Urine has continuous antibacterial activity when methenamine hippurate USP is administered at the recommended dosage schedule of 1 gram twice daily. Over 90% of methenamine moiety is excreted in the urine within 24 hours after administration of a single 1-gram dose. Similarly, the hippurate moiety is rapidly absorbed and excreted, and it reaches the urine by both tubular secretion and glomerular filtration. This action may be important in older patients or in those with some degree of renal impairment.