Switch from Hiprex to Phyprex: how to use the formula

Author: Jessica Lloyd
Senior Naturopath | BHSc(N) | ISSVD, ISSWSH, BSSM, ATMS

Last reviewed: November 3, 2025

To make Phyprex UTI Prevent a true switch for self-prescribed Hiprex, learn how to effectively use the formula to your best advantage.

The Phyprex formulas are powerful allies in the fight against chronic or embedded UTIs, and because they are botanical medicines, they come with fewer side effects and risks than antibiotics and Hiprex.

The plant-based Hiprex alternative, Phyprex UTI Prevent for effective treatment of UTI

How to pour a dose of Phyprex UTI Prevent

Always shake liquid herbs well before use. The herbs are a mixture of alcohol extracts and glycetracts (a non-calorie sugar syrup), and the liquids will naturally settle into layers. Always dilute liquid herbal medicine.

First two weeks: Phyprex UTI Prevent 2.5ml twice daily

Shake the blend to combine the contents, and carefully pour 2.5ml (the lowest line) into the measuring cup. Top the cup up to the 30ml line with water. Drink this like a shot. Have a glass of water handy to wash the taste away if you need to.

Take a 2.5ml dose twice daily, at either end of the day. The exact time doesn’t matter. If you miss a dose, double your next dose for that day. If you skip a day, don’t double the following day, just carry on as usual.

It doesn’t matter if you have it with or without food or drinks, including alcohol, but if you’re taking other medicines, herbs or supplements, check any specific requirements before mixing. If you’re not sure, keep 30 minutes either side free of other treatments.

Ongoing: Phyprex UTI Prevent 2.5ml once daily

Then, continue with 2.5ml once daily as a supportive preventative measure to help protect you from urinary tract infections.

Don’t exceed 15ml per day unless directed to by a healthcare practitioner.

When to increase the dose

Increase the dose to 4-5ml if you are very symptomatic, are a larger person, or are not experiencing any preventative effects. If you experience UTI symptoms during the first week, you need more. The goal is as little of the herbal formula as possible to get results.

For some people, as little as 1ml works very well, but others prefer up to 7.5ml.

Don’t skimp on herb to save herb!

If you consider how many doses are in one bottle at 2.5ml per dose (40 doses for 100ml and 200 doses for 500ml bottles), you can foresee that the longevity of a bottle is extended if you use a smaller amount.

But, don’t sacrifice the benefit of a larger dose across fewer days in favour of making a bottle last a long time. Herbs are not like regular medications, where you need to be taking them each day for them to work. The impacts of herbs tend to be more profound, and the goal is to make a lasting positive change, not just to keep the status quo of symptom reduction.

Herbs exert an impact on your body by encouraging your body to do what it would naturally do, to heal, defend and maintain itself.

For UTI prevention, this means the herbs encourage your urinary tract and immune system to act in a robust and defensive way to protect from infection. The results of this, over time, are an overall improvement in your urinary tract strength and resilience, and fewer infections.

The herbs make your body better at fighting infections

Think of the herbs like a therapy that is making things better every day you take them, but remember, there is a minimum dose for them to be effective for you.

Ultimately, we want you to have an improvement in your body’s resistance to infection, and where possible, be herb-free.

When to reduce the dose

If you are a smaller person or find that the alcohol affects you negatively, reduce the dose to 1ml and stick with that or divide the doses.

If you want the full 2.5ml dose, split it into two and take them separately. A dose of 1ml in our experience here at My Vagina tends to be tolerable for even the most sensitive, especially when heavily diluted. Getting the herbs into your body is the important thing; otherwise, they can’t work.

Using Phyprex UTI Prevent long-term

As herbalists with people on long-term herbal medicine, it is standard practice to take breaks and cycle herbal formulas. ‘Cycling’ herbs means changing up the formula every so often to ensure maximum effects, and welcoming in new herbs for complementary effects. Then, switching back, or cycling.

The body can become a little less responsive when presented with the exact same formula every day. Cycling herbs and taking treatment breaks interrupts this adaptation process, ensuring you get the most out of your herbs over the long term. Herbs are not resistance-forming like antibiotics, but bacteria are clever, and it’s helpful to switch things up every so often.

How you go about cycling your formula is largely up to you, but here are some options:

Take a break for 2-3 days or longer once every four weeks
Take your formula every other day
If you’re worried about a UTI developing when you are on a break, ensure you have Phyprex UTI Acute on hand, and start using it at the first sign of symptoms
If you are not prepared to be completely herb-free, simply take Phyprex UTI Acute at the same dose as Phyprex UTI Prevent, effectively switching out the herbs.

Avoid continuous use for more than three months without practitioner oversight or taking breaks/cycling other herbal formulas. Try the Phyprex UTI Acute or the Oral UTI Herbal Formula Soothing Mix as ‘cycle buddies’.

Test the herbs and work out the minimum dose you need to prevent a UTI – you may not always need a preventative, and may find you can go long stretches without a UTI. This is ideal.

Find the dose that works for you to prevent UTIs. If you’re not sure, get in touch and we’ll help you!

For acute UTI symptoms

Act quickly as soon as you feel the telltale signs of an impending UTI, preferably with Phyprex UTI Acute, but Phyprex UTI Prevent will also help. Use acute dosing as per the Phyprex UTI Acute dosing schedule (1ml every hour up to 10 hours or as needed).

If acute UTI symptoms spike, add 1ml Phyprex UTI Acute every hour for up to 10 hours or as needed. We recommend having both blends on hand.

The plant-based Hiprex alternative, Phyprex UTI Acute for effective treatment of UTI

Tips on using Phyprex UTI Prevent

Can be taken with or without food, but always with water
100ml bottles can be taken in carry-on luggage for air travel
Does not require refrigeration

Safety and warnings for Phyprex UTI Prevent

Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients – contains two daisy/ragweed family plants
If you have been prescribed Hiprex by a medical practitioner, don’t stop taking it
Phyprex UTI Prevent can be used alongside antibiotics and Hiprex
Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless under the explicit direction from a healthcare provider
Use only as directed
Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
Do not give to children and keep out of reach of children
Observe safety warnings
Contains alcohol and glycerine
If symptoms worsen or you don’t feel well when using the herbs, stop using them, they are not right for you – and get in touch, we’ll help you find a suitable alternative
Individual results will vary depending on your unique biology, and further assessment and treatment may be required if your symptoms don’t improve – it means something else is wrong. Book here.
If you have underlying medical conditions or are on medication, check with your healthcare practitioner first

Use only as directed, and if symptoms persist, please see a practitioner for guidance.

Getting support

If symptoms persist, see your healthcare practitioner
Get in-depth, knowledgeable support from a My Vagina naturopath – we know how to treat chronic and embedded UTI!