NITROFURANTOIN

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Nitrofurantoin	Nephronex
Cyantin	Nifuran
Furadantin	Nitrex
Furalan	Nitrofan
Furaloid	Nitrofor
Furan	Nitrofuracot
Furanite	Novofuran
Furantoin	Ro-Antoin
Furatine	Sarodant
Furaton	Trantoin
Macrobid	Urotoin
Macrodantin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antimicrobial

Uses

Treatment for urinary-tract infections.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with food or milk to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.
Extended-release capsule--Swallow with liquid. Do not open capsule.
Liquid--Shake well and take with food. Use a measuring spoon to ensure accuracy.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents susceptible bacteria in the urinary tract from growing and multiplying.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 weeks.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

• Diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, cough, difficult breathing, chills or unexplained fever, abdominal pain.
• Rusty colored or brown urine.

Infrequent:

• Rash, itchy skin, numbness, tingling or burning of face or mouth, fatigue, weakness.
• Dizziness, headache, drowsiness, paleness (in children), discolored teeth (from liquid form).

Rare:

Jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to nitrofurantoin.
• You have impaired kidney function.
• You drink alcohol.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are prone to allergic reactions.
• If you are pregnant and within 2 weeks of delivery.
• If you have had kidney disease, lung disease, anemia, nerve damage, or G6PD* deficiency (a metabolic deficiency).
• If you have diabetes. Drug may affect urine sugar tests.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits, especially in last month of pregnancy. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month. Use only under medical supervision for older children.

Prolonged use:

• Chest pain, cough, shortness of breath.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function, lung function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy or drowsy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Periodic blood counts, liver-function tests, and chest X-rays recommended.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Dapsone	Increased risk of adverse effect
	on blood cells.
Didanosine	Increased risk of pancreatitis and
	peripheral neuropathy.
Hemolytics*, other	Increased risk of toxicity.
Isoniazid	Increased risk of liver damage.
Nalidixic acid	Decreased nitrofurantoin effect.
Neurotoxic medicines*	Increased risk of damage to nerve
	cells.
Phenobarbital	Decreased nitrofurantoin effect.
Probenecid	Increased nitrofurantoin effect.
Sulfinpyrazone	Possible nitrofurantoin toxicity.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Possible disulfiram reaction*.
	Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.