Acetohydroxamic acid helps prevent a build-up of ammonia in urine that can be caused by a bladder infection. Increased ammonia in urine can cause the growth of kidney stones.

Acetohydroxamic acid is used to keep urine ammonia levels low in people who have a certain type of chronic bladder infection.

Acetohydroxamic acid is not an antibiotic and will not treat the infection itself. This medicine is only part of a treatment program that may also include antibiotics to treat the infection, and surgery to remove kidney stones. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Acetohydroxamic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use acetohydroxamic acid if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• bladder symptoms that have not been checked by a doctor with lab tests; or
• if you are pregnant or are not using birth control.

To make sure acetohydroxamic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells); or
• a weak immune system.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use acetohydroxamic acid if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking acetohydroxamic acid. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or if you stop using birth control for any reason during treatment with this medicine.

It is not known whether acetohydroxamic acid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Use Acetohydroxamic Acid (Lithostat) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• signs of a blood clot in your leg--pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs; or
• signs of a red blood cell disorder--pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness.

Common side effects may include:

• headache during the first 2 days of treatment;
• skin rash, warmth, tingling or redness (especially if you drink alcohol while taking acetohydroxamic acid);
• upset stomach, nausea, loss of appetite;
• depressed mood;
• anxiety, tremors, nervousness; or
• hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may have a skin rash or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling) if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Ask your doctor before taking any vitamin or mineral supplement that contains iron.