Nitrofurantoin
Description
Nitrofurantoin is a bactericidal antibiotic that helps treat urinary tract infections. It is used with caution in patients with kidney injury.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nitrofurantoin
- changes in facial skin color
- Skin rash
- Fever and chills
- Burning or tingling sensation
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Excessive gas in stomach
Uses of Nitrofurantoin
What is it prescribed for?
- Urinary Tract Infection
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThis medicine is well observed orally. Food may increase the bioavailability of the medicine.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 1 to 3 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. It is contraindicated in pregnant patients at term (38 to 42 weeks' gestation), during labor and delivery.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is known to excreted through breast milk. This medicine is not contraindicated in children less than 3 months and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient infants.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with allergy to Nitrofurantoin.
Impaired Kidney function
Not recommended in patients with CrCl less than 60 ml/min
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. It is contraindicated in pregnant patients at term (38 to 42 weeks' gestation), during labor and delivery.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to excreted through breast milk. This medicine is not contraindicated in children less than 3 months and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient infants.
General warnings
Lung toxicity
This medicine is known to cause acute, subacute and chronic pulmonary reactions. The treatment should be discontinued if these reactions appear.
Impaired liver function
This medicine is known to cause serious liver injuries like hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice. Any signs of elevated liver enzymes should be informed to the doctor. Discontinue the treatment if the signs and symptoms appear.
Peripheral neuropathy
This medicine may cause nerve damage especially in elderly patients with kidney impairment and diabetes mellitus. Any symptoms of tingling or burning sensation should be reported to the doctor. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary.
Hemolytic anemia
This medicine may cause abnormal breakdown of blood cells. Close monitoring of blood cell count and hemoglobin is necessary. Discontinue the treatment if any signs of decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell count appear.
Drug-resistance
Usage of Nitrofurantoin without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that is drug resistant.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Nitrofurantoin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cholera Vaccine
Atorvastatin
Disease interactions
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
This medicine may cause abnormal breakdown of blood cells. Close monitoring of blood cell count and hemoglobin is necessary. Discontinue the treatment if any signs of decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell count appear.
Peripheral Neuropathy
This medicine may cause nerve damage especially in elderly patients with kidney impairment and diabetes mellitus. Any symptoms of tingling or burning sensation should be reported to the doctor. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Nitrofurantoin as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. It is advised to take this medicine at the same time every day. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by interfering with the bacterial wall synthesis and thus stops the growth of the bacteria.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Urinary anti-infectives
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Nitrofurantoin: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Nitrofurantoin (macrocrystals) capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Nov 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.