• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is nitrofurantoin?
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections. Nitrofurantoin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of nitrofurantoin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• shortness of breath, running out of breath easily;

• fever, chills, cough, chest pain;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual weakness;

• numbness or tingling; or

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Less serious side effects may include:

• rust-colored or brownish urine;

• headache;

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

• bloating or gas, constipation;

• feeling dizzy or drowsy;

• blurred vision; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take nitrofurantoin?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take nitrofurantoin with food or milk. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring spoon or dropper, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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What is the most important information I should know about nitrofurantoin?
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), fever, chills, cough, chest pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin, unusual weakness, numbness or tingling, or diarrhea that is watery or bloody. Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb nitrofurantoin.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect nitrofurantoin?
Before taking nitrofurantoin, tell your doctor if you are taking: magnesium salicylate (Doan's Pills, Mobidin, Momentum); choline magnesium salicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate); probenecid (Benemid); or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane). This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with nitrofurantoin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Nitrofurantoin has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetotoxicity or teratogenicity except when administered in very high doses. While there are no controlled data in human pregnancies, nitrofurantoin-induced congenital anomalies have not been reported to date. Nitrofurantoin should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established. The use of nitrofurantoin is contraindicated near term (38 to 42 weeks gestation) and during labor and delivery because of the potential for induction of hemolytic anemia in the neonate due to low levels of red cell glutathione in this population.

One retrospective review of 91 pregnancies involving nitrofurantoin use reported no evidence of association to fetal adverse effects. In a review of 229,101 deliveries to Michigan Medicaid patients, there were 1292 first-trimester exposures to nitrofurantoin and 9998 exposures anytime during pregnancy. A total of 52 birth defects (55 expected) was reported with first-trimester exposure and included (observed/expected) 15/12 cardiovascular defects, 1/0 oral clefts, 4/3 polydactyly, 3/2 limb reductions, and 5/3 hypospadias.

Nitrofurantoin is excreted into human milk. Nitrofurantoin is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics, although there is a theoretical risk of hemolytic anemia in neonates and G-6-PD-deficient infants. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse effects in infants less than one month old, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

A study of 4 lactating women indicated that nitrofurantoin is actively transported into breast milk, achieving a milk-to-serum ratio of 6.21. The infant dose was estimated to be approximately 6% of the maternal dose or 0.2 mg/kg/day (based on a maternal dose of 100 mg nitrofurantoin macrocrystals twice daily).

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin.
• Anuria, oliguria, or significant renal impairment (Cl_cr <60 mL/minute or clinically important S_cr elevations).
• Neonates <1 month of age. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)
• Pregnant women at term (38–42 weeks of gestation), including during labor and delivery and when onset of labor is imminent. (See Pregnancy under Cautions.)

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea or vomiting.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nitrofurantoin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nitrofurantoin, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have: severe kidney disease; if you are urinating less than usual or not at all; or if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or any type of debilitating disease.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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