Nitrofurantoin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: nitrofurantoin, oral; Furadantin; Macrobid; Macrodantin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• a disease of the red blood cells such as anemia or G6PD
• an allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin, furazolidone (Furoxone) or nitrofurazone (Furacin)
• asthma
• diabetes
• kidney disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine in the last month of pregnancy. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine with food or milk to lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach and to help your body absorb the medicine. If you have the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle well before using.

Take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antacid.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your infection may come back. Using this medicine more often or longer than directed can lead to other infections.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Contact your health care provider if your condition does not improve in a few days.

This medicine may darken the color of your urine from red-yellow to brown. This is not harmful.

Do not use this medicine for other infections unless your health care provider approves.

If you notice numbness or pain in your hands or feet, contact your health care provider right away. If you develop diarrhea that continues or gets worse, contact your health care provider.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect urine sugar test results. Talk to your health care provider before you change your diet or dosage of diabetes medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Fever, chest pain, coughing, trouble breathing, weakness, general ill feelings, stomach pain, yellowish eyes or skin, numbness or pain in your hands or feet, rash or hives.

Other: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, pain in muscles or joints, mouth pain, temporary hair loss.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antacids containing magnesium (take antacids 2 hours before or after you take this medicine)
• nalidixic acid (NegGram)
• norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sulfinpyrazone (Anturane).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.