Methenamine is a urinary tract antiseptic and antibacterial drug used for the prophylaxis and treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections requiring a long-term therapy. Methenamine is a heterocyclic organic compound with a cage-like structure similar to adamantane.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Methenamine does not have antibacterial properties in an alkaline environment (pH≥6); however, in a more acidic environment (pH<6), methenamine is hydrolyzed to formaldehyde. (1) Formaldehyde is considered to be highly bactericidal. (1) Formaldehyde has nonspecific antibacterial activity and works by denaturing proteins and nucleic acid of bacteria. (1) Certain bacteria such as Proteus sp. can alkalize urine, inhibiting the beneficial activity of formaldehyde. (1) The key role of the salt component of the drug, for example hippuric acid, is to maintain the acidic state of the urine. (1)
- Primary indication
- For prophylactic or suppressive treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections when long-term therapy is considered necessary.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C6H12N4 · 140.1863 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2003 · United States, 1976
- Also known as
- Hexamethylenamine · Hexamethylene tetramine · Hexamethylenetetramine · Hexamine · HMTA
- Code names
- E-239 · INS-239 · INS NO.239
- Brand names
Resolves to
VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESC1N2CN3CN1CN(C2)C3What you can answer from here — as of October 01, 2026
Which other approved drugs treat the same conditions as Methenamine, and which companies have late-stage candidates in those indications?
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