Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. It is used to treat bacterial infections, such as UTIs.

Nitrofurantoin works by killing the bacteria that is causing the infection. When you take this medicine orally, most of it gets filtered out of the blood and into your urine. This means that this medicine is concentrated where the causative bacteria are. Once there, the medicine enters the bacterial cells and damages their DNA, stopping them from growing and multiplying, which treats the infection.

Nitrofurantoin is suitable for adults with urinary tract infections. It's generally safe for most people, but there are some exceptions.

You should not take Nitrofurantoin if you are allergic to the active ingredient, or to any of the other ingredients in this medicine.

You should also avoid Nitrofurantoin if you:

• Have kidney disease
• Are in the final stages of pregnancy
• You have acute porphyria (a blood disorder)
• You have G6PD deficiency

Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you have any of the following medical conditons:

• Diabetes
• Anaemia
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Lactose intolerance
• Any illness that causes severe weakness
• Disease of the lungs, liver or nervous system.
• if your urine is dark yellow or brown coloured.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any other medicines, natural health products or supplements. The effect of some medicines may change if they are taken with Nitrofurantoin, especially the following:

• Antacids for indigestion (e.g. magnesium trisilicate)
• Medicines for gout (e.g. probenecid, sulfinpyrazone)
• Medicines which slow the passage of food through the stomach (e.g. atropine, hyoscine)
• Medicines for glaucoma (e.g. acetazolamide)
• Medicines which make the urine less acidic (e.g. potassium citrate mixture)
• Certain antibiotics (e.g. quinolones)
• Typhoid vaccine, which is given for the prevention of typhoid.

For a complete list of precautions and medicine interactions, consult the patient information leaflet.

Yes, Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic. However, until broad-spectrum antibiotics that work within the entire body, this medicine is concentrated in the urine, making it ideal for treating bladder and lower urinary tract infections.

Common side effects:

• nausea or vomiting
• headache
• loss of appetite
• stomach ache
• diarrhea
• dizziness or vertigo
• drowsiness
• dark yellow or brown colored urine

Serious side effects

You should stop taking Nitrofurantoin and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following side effects:

• signs of an allergic reaction (wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching)
• fever, shivering, coughing and shortness of breath
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• nerve problems
• raised pressure in the skull (causing severe headaches)
• blue or purple skin color due to low oxygen levels
• blood in the stool

Most people start feeling better within 2–3 days of taking this medicine, however it's important to finish the full course, even if you feel better. This will ensure the infection is properly treated and doesn't return.

Yes, you can buy Nitrofurantoin capsules online at SpeedyHealth after completing our free online consultation.

You must complete an online consultation as Nitrofurantoin is a prescription-only medication. This is a quick and easy process which allows our doctors to ensure this medicine is safe and suitable for you to use.