Nitrofurantoin (nye-troe-fure-AN-toyn)

Treats or prevents urinary tract infections.

Brand Name(s):

Furadantin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with an antacid (including magnesium trisilicate).
• Some medicines can affect how nitrofurantoin works. Tell your doctor if you are using probenecid or sulfinpyrazone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Do not breastfeed in babies younger than 1 month of age or have G6PD deficiency.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, anemia, diabetes, a mineral imbalance in the blood, vitamin B deficiency, or a blood condition called G6PD deficiency.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Lung problems, including pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis
  • Liver problems
  • Nerve problems, including peripheral neuropathy
  • Blood problems, including hemolytic anemia
• This medicine may cause your urine to become brown-colored. This is normal and will not affect how the medicine works.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Cough, fever, chills, weakness, chest pain
• Dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Severe and watery diarrhea that may contain blood
• Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, headache
• Mild nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Temporary hair loss
• Vaginal itching or discharge

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088