Cystitis treatment Nitrofurantoin
What is Nitrofurantoin?
Nitrofurantoin, the active ingredient in Nitrofurantoin Capsules, is an antibiotic. It is used to prevent and treat infections in the bladder, kidneys, and other areas of the urinary tract. Nitrofurantoin comes in tasteless, easy to swallow capsules.
What is Nitrofurantoin used to treat?
Nitrofurantoin is used to prevent and treat infections in the bladder, kidneys, and other areas of the urinary tract.
Who can and cannot use medicines containing Nitrofurantoin?
Nitrofurantoin is generally considered safe for use in most adults and children. However, it is not suitable if:
You are allergic to nitrofurantoin, or other nitrofurans
You have severe kidney disease (ask your doctor if you’re unsure)
You are in the final stages of pregnancy (labour or delivery), as it might affect the baby
You have a blood disorder called porphyria
You lack an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
Your child is under three months old
You are breastfeeding a baby with a suspected or known G6PD deficiency
Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about any of these conditions.
Warnings and Precautions
Before taking Nitrofurantoin Capsules, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you:
Have diabetes
Are experiencing severe weakness
Have anaemia or a vitamin B deficiency, or abnormal salt levels in your blood
Have a history of allergic reactions
Have kidney problems
Have lung disease
Nitrofurantoin can cause lung disease even in patients with no previous lung issues. If you experience breathing problems, a persistent cough, coughing up blood or mucus, or pain when breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
These conditions can increase the risk of nerve damage, leading to tingling or numbness.
If you lack G6PD, your red blood cells may be more easily damaged. This is more common in Black people and those of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Asian ethnicity. Speak to your doctor if you’re concerned this may affect you.
If you have lung, liver, or nervous system diseases, your doctor may want to regularly check your functions if you take Nitrofurantoin for several months.
Nitrofurantoin may affect urine glucose tests, giving a false positive. It can also change urine colour to yellow or brown.
If you experience fatigue, yellowing skin or eyes, itching, rashes, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, or pale stools, these could be symptoms of a liver disorder.
Frequently asked questions
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, especially:
Antacids for indigestion (e.g., magnesium trisilicate)
Medicines for gout (e.g., probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)
Medicines that slow stomach emptying (e.g., atropine, hyoscine)
Medicines for glaucoma (e.g., acetazolamide)
Medicines that make urine less acidic (e.g., potassium citrate mixture)
Antibiotics known as quinolones
Typhoid vaccine
Always take Nitrofurantoin Capsules with food or milk to increase effectiveness and avoid stomach upset.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Nitrofurantoin can be used during pregnancy but not during labour or delivery. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Nitrofurantoin Capsules may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if affected until these symptoms go away.
Like all medicines, Nitrofurantoin Capsules can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and go away when you stop taking the medicine.
Don’t be alarmed if you experience:
Dark yellow or brown urine: This is normal and not a reason to stop taking the medicine.
Serious allergic reaction
Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible. Stop taking Nitrofurantoin and seek immediate medical help if you experience:
Sudden wheezing or difficulty breathing
Swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
Rash or itching, especially affecting the whole body
Stop taking and speak to your doctor if you experience:
Lung reactions: Symptoms like fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath may develop quickly or slowly, especially in the elderly.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes due to liver inflammation.
Nerve damage: Changes in sensation or muscle use, severe headaches, mood changes, confusion, weakness, and involuntary eye movements. These effects can be severe and sometimes permanent.
Raised pressure in the skull: Causes severe headaches.
Severe blood cell reduction: Leads to weakness, bruising, or increased risk of infections.
Cyanosis: Blue or purple skin due to low oxygen levels.
Cutaneous vasculitis: Symptoms like fever, flu, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in stool, and weakness.
Autoimmune hepatitis: Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and joint swelling.
Other side effects to be aware of
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Loss of consciousness
Anaemia due to bone marrow damage
Frequency Unknown:
Nausea and headache
Loose stools
Loss of appetite, stomach-ache, vomiting
Dizziness, drowsiness
Blood cell issues: Bruising, delayed blood clotting, sore throat, fever, anaemia, susceptibility to colds
Skin rashes or reactions: Flaking skin, red rash, severe rash with blistering, rapid heart rate
Inflammation: Salivary glands (facial pain), pancreas (severe abdominal pain), joints
Short-term hair loss
Urinary infections by germs not sensitive to Nitrofurantoin
Inflammation of small blood vessels, causing skin lesions
Liver inflammation due to immune response against liver cells
Kidney inflammation, causing renal impairment