$Unique_ID{BRK03253} $Pretitle{} $Title{nitrofurantoin} $Subject{Furadantin Norwich-Eaton Lannett Furalan Furanite Major Macrodantin Nitrofan Antibiotic nitrofurantoin bacterial infections urinary tract bladder kidneys cell membranes nutrients} $Volume{} $Log{ Macrodantin*0325301.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. nitrofurantoin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Furadantin (Norwich-Eaton) Furalan (Lannett) Furanite (Major) Macrodantin (Norwich-Eaton) Nitrofan (Major) nitrofurantoin (various manufacturers) TYPE OF DRUG Antibiotic INGREDIENT nitrofurantoin DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (50 mg and 100 mg) Capsules (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) Oral suspension (25 mg per 5-ml spoonful) STORAGE Nitrofurantoin tablets, capsules, and oral suspension should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. Never freeze this medication. USES Nitrofurantoin is used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). It kills susceptible bacteria by breaking down their cell membranes and interfering with their production of vital nutrients. TREATMENT In order to avoid stomach irritation and to increase the effectiveness of this drug, you can take it with a meal or with a glass of water or milk. The tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole to obtain maximum benefit. The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container in order to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the doses. Each dose of the medication should then be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough to measure your dose of the medication. You can then dilute the dose with water, milk, fruit juice, or infant's formula to mask the unpleasant taste. Nitrofurantoin works best when the level of medicine in your urine is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced invervals day and night. For example, if you are to take three doses a day, the doses should be spaced eight hours apart. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately. However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular dosing schedule. Try not to skip any doses. It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking the drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Nitrofurantoin can cause your urine to change color (to rust-yellow or brown). This is a harmless effect, but it may stain your underclothing. The color change will disappear after you stop taking the drug. If this drug makes you dizzy, sit or lie down; get up slowly, and be careful on stairs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about chest pain, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fainting, fever, hair loss, irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, numbness or tingling, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Also, if your symptoms or infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor. INTERACTIONS Nitrofurantoin interacts with other types of medications: 1. Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone can decrease the effectiveness and increase the side effects of nitrofurantoin. 2. Certain antacids (magnesium trisilicate) can decrease the absorption of nitrofurantoin from the gastrointestinal tract. Before starting to take nitrofurantoin, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to nitrofurantoin, nitrofurazone, or furazolidone. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte abnormalities, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, kidney disease, lung disease, nerve damage, or vitamin B deficiencies. * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car. * Before surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor or dentist you are taking this drug. * Diabetics should know that nitrofurantoin can cause false-positive results with some urine sugar tests (for example, Clinitest). Be sure to check with your doctor before adjusting your insulin dose. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Nitrofurantoin should not be used close to term. It may cause anemia in the newborn infant. Nitrofurantoin should not be used in an infant less than one month of age. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Nitrofurantoin passes into the breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.