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 healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

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

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a disease of the red blood cells such as anemia or G6PD deficiency
• asthma, COPD, or other lung disease
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• vitamin B deficiency.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare 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 healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare 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.

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.

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 healthcare 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.

This medicine may cause diarrhea. Severe bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

Contact your healthcare 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 healthcare provider approves.

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

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 healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unexplained fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach pain, yellowish eyes or skin, numbness or pain in your hands or feet, unexplained muscle or joint pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, constant diarrhea, rash, hives.

Other: Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, dark urine, loss of appetite.

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 healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids containing magnesium (take antacids 2 hours before or after you take this medicine)
• probenecid
• sulfinpyrazone (Anturane).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare 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 healthcare 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.