MEDICINAL USE OF HEXAMINE

HEXAMINE acts as an anti-infective agent, which is the most commonly used element to treat urinary tract infections. The anti-infective action of hexamine is derived from the slow release of formaldehyde (CH2O) by the process of hydrolysis at an acidic pH of 0.2 molars. Also, methenamine is a colorless, odorless, and lustrous crystal or white hygroscopic crystalline powder.

Since the mandelic acid salt (which is a generic methenamine mandelate, USP) is used for urinary tract infection treatments, it decomposes at an acidic pH to produce ammonia, and formaldehyde is bactericidal; which the mandelic acid adds to this effect. Typically, urinary acidity is ensured by co-administering ammonium chloride or vitamin C (otherwise an ascorbic acid).

This compound's usage had temporarily been reduced in the late 1990s because of the adverse effects, specifically chemically-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in the case of overdose. However, currently, its use has been re-approved due to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance to drugs, which are more commonly used. This drug is especially suitable for long-term prophylactic urinary tract infection treatments because the bacteria do not develop resistance to formaldehyde. Also, it should not be used in chronic kidney disease presence.

In the form of spray and creams, hexamine is successfully used for the treatment of concomitant odor and excessive sweating with the medical citation.