Nitrofurantoin

Uses of Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections. This medicine is an antibiotic. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Precautions and Warnings

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.

Dosage

The dose of nitrofurantoin you take depends on whether it’s to treat or prevent a urinary tract infection, your age, and how bad the infection is.

The usual adult dose of nitrofurantoin is:

• to treat a urinary tract infection – either 100mg taken as slow release capsules, twice a day, or 50mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, 4 times a day. Severe infections may need a higher dose of 100mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, 4 times a day
• to prevent a urinary tract infection – 50mg to 100mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, once a day at night

Doses are usually lower for children. Your child’s doctor will work out the correct dose based on your child’s weight or age.

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. If you’re taking nitrofurantoin twice a day, leave 12 hours between each dose – for example, take it at 8am and 8pm.

If you’re taking it 4 times a day, this will usually be first thing in the morning, at about midday, late in the afternoon, and at bedtime.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• headache, dizziness;
• gas, upset stomach;
• mild diarrhea; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.