Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is administered to cure UTIs caused by a few typical kinds of bacteria. Lung inflammation is one of the major but very rare side effects of Nitrofurantoin and usually occurs if the usage persists for more than half a year.

Damage to the liver is also another serious but infrequent adverse reaction of Nitrofurantoin. If the therapy is a long term one, then certain tests will be administered to check whether all is good with liver functioning or not. Signs of liver damage include persistent itching, yellowing of the eye’s whites or the skin, vomiting, dark colored urine, nausea and reduced appetite.

Nitrofurantoin can also result in damage to the nerves. Nerve damage is characterized by pain and numbness of the feet and the hands. Another adverse effect of Nitrofurantoin is damage to the red blood cells. This condition is known as hemolysis, indicators of which include weakness, fatigue, tiredness and paling of the skin. This generally subsides once the usage is discontinued.

There are certain medications, administration of which is strictly advised against while using Nitrofurantoin. These include antacids that contain certain ingredients such as magnesium trisilicate, sulfinpyrazone and probenecid.

Pregnant women who are in their term of pregnancy (38 to 42 weeks) should talk to their doctor before using this drug. Also, Nitrofurantoin is usually advised against at the time of labor and delivery. This drug can be passed onto a mother’s breast milk and thus prove harmful for the baby that is being breastfed.

In case of the elderly, their kidney functioning isn’t usually at their best. Hence, any medicine, once inside their system, tends to stay there for a longer time, thus increasing the risks of various side effects.

Take per recommended schedule, at regular intervals around-the-clock. Complete full course of therapy; do not skip doses. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake).

Diabetics should consult prescriber if using Clinitest® for glucose testing. Nitrofurantoin may discolor urine dark yellow or brown (normal). Use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known.

Report chest pains or palpitations; pain on urination or blood in urine; skin rash; muscle weakness, pain, or tremors; excessive fatigue or weakness; other persistent adverse effects; or if condition does not improve.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• Urinary Tract Infection

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• Allergy

• Impaired Kidney Function

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• Chest Pain

• Chills

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Drowsiness

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Rash

• Itching

• Stomach Upset

• Diarrhoea

• Loss Of Appetite

• Sore Throat

• Weakness

• Numbness

• Cough

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 1 to 3 hours.

• What is the onset of action?

  This medicine is well observed orally. Food may increase the bioavailability of the medicine.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. It is contraindicated in pregnant patients at term (38 to 42 weeks' gestation), during labor and delivery.

• Is it habit forming?

  No habit forming tendencies were reported

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  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.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  This medicine might cause side effects that affect the alertness of the patient. Thus driving must be avoided.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  This medicine might be avoided in patients with Clcr <50 mL/minute. Also avoid use in hemo and peritoneal dialysis and continuous arteriovenous or venovenous hemofiltration (CAVH/CAVHD).

• Does this affect liver function?

  This medicine is probably safe to be used in patient with liver disease. Adjustment of dose might not be needed. Kindly consult for further details.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• Missed Dose instructions

  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.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Japan

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Nitrofurantoin as ingredient

• Macfuran 100 MG Capsule

  Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt.Ltd

• Nitrobact 100 MG Capsule

  Mankind Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Niftran Tm 100 MG Capsule

  Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd

• Uribid 100Mg Tablet

  Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Furadantin 50 MG Tablet

  Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Urifast Cp 100 MG Capsule

  Cipla Ltd

• Niftas 50 MG Tablet

  Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Niftran 100 MG Capsule

  Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd

• U Free 100 MG Capsule

  Zydus Cadila

• Nitrobest 100 MG Tablet

  Lupin Ltd

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

The active constituent of this medication belongs to the class urinary anti-infectives. It works by inhibiting the cell wall synthesis by forming reactive intermediates by bacterial flavoproteins. These intermediates will alter the bacterial ribosomal proteins, DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis and cell wall synthesis.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a General Uro before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Alcohol

  Consumption of alcohol must be avoided as alcohol may interact with this medicine and cause serious side effects.

• Interaction with Lab Test

  Causes false-positive urine glucose with Clinitest®.

• Interaction with Medicine

  • Decreased effect: Antacids, especially magnesium salts, decrease absorption of nitrofurantoin; nitrofurantoin may antagonize effects of norfloxacin.
  • Increased toxicity: Probenecid (decreases renal excretion of nitrofurantoin); anticholinergic drugs increase absorption of nitrofurantoin.

• Interaction with Food

  Information not available.

• Interaction with Disease

  • Use with caution in patients with G-6-PD deficiency, patients with anemia, vitamin B deficiency, diabetes mellitus or electrolyte abnormalities.
  • Therapeutic concentrations of nitrofurantoin are not attained in urine of patients with Clcr <40 mL/minute (elderly).
  • Use with caution if prolonged therapy is anticipated due to possible pulmonary toxicity.
  • Acute, subacute, or chronic (usually after 6 months of therapy) pulmonary reactions have been observed in patients treated with nitrofurantoin.
  • If these occur, discontinue therapy; monitor closely for:
    1. Malaise,
    2. Dyspnea,
    3. Cough,
    4. Fever,
    5. Radiologic evidence of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis.

• Ques : What is Nitrofurantoin?

  Ans : Nitrofurantoin is administered to cure UTIs caused by a few typical kinds of bacteria. Lung inflammation is one of the major but very rare side effects of Nitrofurantoin and usually occurs if the usage persists for more than half a year.

• Ques : What are the uses of Nitrofurantoin?

  Ans : Nitrofurantoin used for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection.

• Ques : What are the side effect of this Nitrofurantoin?

  Ans : Possible side effects of this tablet are as follows:

  • Chest Pain
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness

• Ques : How long do I need to use Nitrofurantoin before I see improvement in my condition?

  Ans : This medication is to be taken till the time you see an improvement in your health conditions.

• Ques : At what frequency do I need to use Nitrofurantoin?

  Ans : This medication should be taken in the dosage as prescribed by the doctor.

• Ques : Should I use Nitrofurantoin empty stomach, before food or after food?

  Ans : This medication should be taken after food in a prescribed dosage.

• Ques : What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Nitrofurantoin?

  Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.

• Ques : How is this Nitrofurantoin administered?

  Ans : This medication is administered orally.

• Nitrofurantoin-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 7 June 2022].Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/nitrofurantoin

• Nitrofurantoin-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 7 June 2022].Available from:

  https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00698

• NITROFURANTOIN tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 7 June 2022].Available from:

  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=NITROFURANTOIN