Nitrofurantoin
About 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.
What are the uses of Nitrofurantoin
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.
What are the contraindications of Nitrofurantoin ?
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.
What are the side effects of Nitrofurantoin ?
Chills
Headache
Rash
Stomach Upset
Loss Of Appetite
Weakness
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.
Key highlights of Nitrofurantoin
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.
What are the dosage instructions?
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.
Where is the Nitrofurantoin approved?
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.
Medicines containing Nitrofurantoin
Below is the list of medicines, which contains Nitrofurantoin as ingredient
- Nifty 100Mg Tablet Sr
Wanbury Ltd
- Nifutin 50 MG Tablet
Ipca Laboratories Pvt Ltd.
- Troydantin 100 MG Capsule
Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Nitrobest 100 MG Tablet
Lupin Ltd
- Niftran 100 MG Capsule
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd
- Uribid 100Mg Tablet
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Furadantin 50 MG Tablet
Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Martifur 100 MG Tablet
Walter Bushnell
- Nitro F 100 MG Tablet
Bharat Serums & Vaccines Ltd
- Urifast 25 MG Suspension
Cipla 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.
How does this medication work?
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.
What are the interactions of Nitrofurantoin ?
Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.
- test
Interaction with Alcohol
Interaction with Lab Test
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
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:
- Malaise,
- Dyspnea,
- Cough,
- Fever,
- Radiologic evidence of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis.
FAQs about Nitrofurantoin
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.
References
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
Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.
Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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