nitrofurantoin macrocrystal 25 mg capsule

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Generic name:
Nitrofurantoin - oral

Pronunciation
(NYE-troe-fure-AN-toyn)

Brand name(s)
Macrodantin

This medication is used to treat or prevent certain urinary tract infections.

This medication is an antibiotic that works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

Nitrofurantoin should not be used by children less than one month of age due to the risk of a certain blood problem (hemolytic anemia).

How to use

Take this medication by mouth with food or milk as directed by your doctor. This medication is usually taken four times daily to treat an infection or once daily at bedtime to prevent infections. Swallow the medication whole. Avoid using magnesium trisilicate-containing antacids while taking this medication. Magnesium trisilicate-containing antacids bind with nitrofurantoin, preventing its full absorption.

The dosage and duration is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.

When taking this medication to prevent infection, take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or stop taking it without your doctor's approval. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of a new urinary tract infection (such as pain while you are urinating).

If you are taking this medication to treat an infection, continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side effects

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or headache may occur. Take this medication with food to help minimize nausea. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication may cause your urine to turn dark yellow or brown in color. This effect is harmless and will disappear when the medication is stopped.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal) lung problems. Lung problems may occur within the first month of treatment or after long-term use of nitrofurantoin (generally for 6 months or longer). Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of lung problems, including:

cough that doesn't go away
chest pain
shortness of breath/trouble breathing
joint/muscle pain
bluish/purplish skin

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

headache that is severe or doesn't go away
new signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever)
easy bruising/bleeding
mental/mood changes
vision changes

This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease, blood or nerve problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
unusual tiredness
dark urine
yellowing of eyes/skin
fast/pounding heartbeat
numbness/tingling of the arms/legs
muscle weakness

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

diarrhea that doesn't stop
abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (such as oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

rash
itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
severe dizziness
trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking nitrofurantoin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

kidney disease
liver disease (including liver problems caused by nitrofurantoin in the past)
a certain genetic condition (G-6-PD deficiency)
certain blood disorders (such as anemia)
lung diseases
certain nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy)
certain eye diseases (optic neuritis)
diabetes
untreated mineral imbalance
vitamin B deficiency

Nitrofurantoin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using nitrofurantoin before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Older adults may be at a greater risk for side effects while using this drug, especially nerve, liver or lung problems.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. This medication should not be used if you are near or at the time of delivery (weeks 38-42 of pregnancy) due to possible harm to the newborn, such as a certain blood problem (hemolytic anemia). Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on nursing infants less than one month old and infants with a certain genetic condition (G-6-PD deficiency). Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions