Nitrofurantoin Monohydrate
Indications
- Antibiotic used to treat bladder infections (acute cystitis) by inhibiting bacterial growth.
- Effective only against bacterial infections, not viral infections like the common cold or flu.
- Inappropriate use of antibiotics when not needed can reduce effectiveness for future infections.
- Not suitable for infants younger than 1 month old (refer to Precautions section).
- Not intended for treating infections outside the bladder, including kidney infections like pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses.
Dosage and administration
- Take the medication orally with food as directed by the doctor, usually twice daily (every 12 hours).
- Swallow the medication whole for optimal results.
- Avoid using antacids containing magnesium trisilicate while taking this medication, as they can interfere with its absorption.
- Take the antibiotic at evenly spaced times; establish a consistent daily schedule for better adherence.
- Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve; stopping early may lead to infection recurrence.
- Inform the doctor if the condition persists or worsens.
Side effects
- Possible side effects of the medication include nausea and headache; inform your doctor or pharmacist if they persist or worsen.
- This medication is prescribed because the benefit is deemed greater than the risk of side effects; many users do not experience serious side effects.
- The medication may cause dark yellow or brown urine, usually a harmless, temporary effect. However, it can also indicate rare side effects (liver problems or anemia). Seek immediate medical help if dark urine is accompanied by symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, tiredness, or fast/pounding heartbeat.
- Report serious side effects promptly to your doctor, including severe or persistent headaches, eye pain, vision changes, new signs of infection, easy bruising/bleeding, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, and unusual muscle weakness.
- Very serious side effects may include potentially fatal lung problems. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint/muscle pain, or bluish/purplish skin.
- A severe intestinal condition due to C. difficile may occur during or after treatment; contact your doctor if you develop symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.
- Avoid using anti-diarrhea or opioid products if you experience these symptoms, as they may worsen the condition.
- Prolonged use of nitrofurantoin may lead to oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection; contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth or experience changes in vaginal discharge.
- Very serious allergic reactions are rare but require immediate medical attention; symptoms include rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.
- This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects; contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice other effects not mentioned above.
Precautions
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies to nitrofurantoin or other substances before taking the medication.
- Discuss with your pharmacist for details on inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other issues.
- Share your medical history, especially kidney disease, liver disease (including past problems caused by nitrofurantoin), G-6-PD deficiency, lung disease, numbness/tingling of the arms/legs, vitamin B deficiency, mineral imbalance, blood disorders (such as anemia), diabetes, ongoing weakness due to long-term disease, and certain eye disorders (such as optic neuritis).
- Older adults may be at a higher risk of side effects, particularly nerve, liver, or lung problems.
- This medication may interfere with the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines (e.g., typhoid vaccine); inform your healthcare professional before undergoing immunizations/vaccinations.
- Use during pregnancy is only recommended when necessary, avoiding use near the end of pregnancy or during labor and delivery to prevent hemolytic anemia in the baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- The medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on nursing infants under 1 month old or those with G-6-PD deficiency. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
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