Nitrofurantoin

Generic name: Nitrofurantoin
Drug class: Urinary anti-infectives

Usage of Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections.

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

Nitrofurantoin side effects

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;

new or worsening cough, trouble breathing;

fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, unexplained weight loss;

numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;

liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

lupus-like syndrome--joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

Common nitrofurantoin side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;

gas, upset stomach;

mild diarrhea; or

vaginal itching or discharge.

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.

Before taking Nitrofurantoin

You should not take nitrofurantoin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

severe kidney disease;

a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by taking nitrofurantoin;

if you are urinating less than usual or not at all; or

if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Do not take nitrofurantoin if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

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

kidney disease;

anemia;

diabetes;

an electrolyte imbalance or vitamin B deficiency;

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

any type of debilitating disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby during early pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Nitrofurantoin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

Nitrofurantoin should not be given to a child younger than 1 month old.

Relate drugs

How to use Nitrofurantoin

Usual Adult Dose for Cystitis:

Regular release: 50 to 100 mg orally 4 times a day for 1 week or for at least 3 days after urine sterility is obtained Dual release: 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days

Usual Adult Dose for Cystitis Prophylaxis:

Regular release: 50 to 100 mg orally once a day at bedtime

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cystitis:

Regular release: 1 month or older: 5 to 7 mg/kg/day (up to 400 mg/day) orally in 4 divided doses Dual release: Greater than 12 years: 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cystitis Prophylaxis:

Regular release: 1 month or older: 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (up to 100 mg/day) orally in 1 to 2 divided doses

Warnings

You should not take nitrofurantoin if you have severe kidney disease, urination problems, or a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by nitrofurantoin.

Do not take this medicine if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

What other drugs will affect Nitrofurantoin

Other drugs may interact with nitrofurantoin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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