General Information
Brand names and manufacturer
Type: OTC/Prescription/schedule
Pronunciation
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Furadantin (GSK)
Martifur (Walter bushnell)
Nitrofurantoin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Nitrofurantoin pronounced as: NYE troe fue RAN toin
Nitrofurantoin is an anti infective / antibacterial drug.
Nitrofurantoin is used for both the treatment and prevention of Urinary tract infection.
Take Nitrofurantoin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you do not understand ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
Take oral dose of Nitrofurantoin preferably with meals with 1 glass of water at regular intervals as prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid taking antacids containing aluminum, zinc, magnesium along with Nitrofurantoin as it decreases its absorption. However you may take it 2hr before or 2 hrs after taking Nitrofurantoin.
Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better.
You must complete the entire course of medication to get maximum benefit; else the infection will not clear completely and in due course result in development of resistance.
- Inform your doctor if you are using any OTC or any prescription drugs like Probenecid, magnesium salicylate, antibiotic like sulfinpyrazone etc
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as Nitrofurantoin should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Renal impairment
- Anemia
- Any Debilitating condition
- Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Do not take nitrofurantoin if you have kidney problem (Anuria).
Children: Nitrofurantoin should not be given to infants < 3 months old.
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Nitrofurantoin belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that nitrofurantoin is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether nitrofurantoin passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take nitrofurantoin with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
Do not use Nitrofurantoin during last trimester of pregnancy (34-42wks) near term as it may cause harm to the newborn(hemolytic anemia).
Nitrofurantoin is available in the form of tablet and capsules.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor who will prescribe you depending on the severity of the disease.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician. The overdose symptoms of Nitrofurantoin are nausea & vomiting.
Nitrofurantoin may causes following side effects like
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache
- Giddiness
- Brownish discoloration of urine
- Loss of appetite
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes peeling of skin, blistering etc
- Shortness of breath even with mild exertion, chest pain
- Severe diarrhea associated with bloody stools
- Fatigue, pale skin
- Fever, chills, sore throat
- Decrease in the amount of urine passed or no urine
- Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of skin, eyes)
- Tingling and numbness in extremities
Store nitrofurantoin at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
Antibiotics usually cause mild diarrhea. Consult your doctor immediately if it is severe, associated with mucus or bloody stools, as it could be sign of new infection or pseudomembranous colitis.
Inform your lab personnel If you are a diabetic on Nitrofurantoin prior to the test as it may cause false result in certain urine glucose test.
Nitrofurantoin causes brownish discoloration of urine as side effect which is harmless and subsides when the drug is stopped.
Nitrofurantoin can cause drowsiness and impair thought process. Avoid activities which require you to be alert.
Regular monitoring of renal function is required when Nitrofurantoin is used for prolonged period to look for side effects.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date:Mar15th,09