Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is a broad-spectrum oral-antibiotic capsule that works by killing infection-causing bacteria. It’s used to treat infections of the bladder, kidneys, and other urinary tract organs caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile. The most common type of UTI causing bacteria that travel through the urinary tract system into the bladder, causing bladder infection, benign cystitis (painful urinary tract infection), interstitial cystitis (painful bladder infection). Read further to know the uses and benefits of Nitrofurantoin.

What are the uses of Nitrofurantoin?

According to the FDA prescribing guidelines, Nitrofurantoin exhibits good activity against urinary tract infections caused by various bacteria. E. coli, Enterobacter cystitis, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Nitrofurantoin can also be used to treat strep throat or ear infections. Nitrofurantoin is also used to treat and prevent uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections or pyelitis, whether spontaneous or as a result of surgical treatments.

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    What are the side effects of Nitrofurantoin?

    The possible side effects are dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, thinning of the skin (epidermolysis bullosa), darkening of the skin (erythropoietic), and lumps under the skin (neuro-toxemia). Rarely, nitrofurantoin can cause allergic reactions, such as skin or eye irritation, swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, difficulty sleeping, or throat irritation. If such a response occurs, stop the drug and consult our experts about treating the reaction.

    What is Nitrofurantoin

    Uses of Nitrofurantoin

    Side effects of Nitrofurantoin

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrofurantoin

    Nitrofurantoin has a short-term therapy but has a powerful effect as it acts quickly on bacteria and often only takes a three to seven-day treatment. Advised to complete the course even if mild improvement in the symptoms is observed to avoid further ill-effects.

    Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are routinely treated with the antibiotic nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin helps treat bladder infections, but it has a limited ability to enter renal tissues and thus should be taken with caution in patients with liver or kidney illnesses.

    While most medical literature considers nitrofurantoin a safe antibiotic to use during the first trimester of pregnancy, there have lately been concerns about a possible relationship between congenital malformations & nitrofurantoin exposure causing problems with RBCs in babies. Consult your doctor if you're pregnant or intending to get pregnant.

    Moderate alcohol intake may appear harmless, but it might raise urine acidity levels, worsening your symptoms. Furthermore, combining alcohol with an antibiotic recommended for a UTI might result in sleepiness, upset stomach, among other adverse effects. Hence avoid alcohol while taking Nitrofurantoin for a better prognosis.

    Nitrofurantoin is one of the broad-spectrum antibiotics that kill pathogenic bacteria without harming good bacteria, thus reducing the risk of infection. It works against certain types of bacteria by inactivating the enzymes that drive cell wall synthesis and cause UTIs. Nitrofurantoin has minimal effect on gut bacteria.

    Your urine may become brown or dark yellow if you use nitrofurantoin. It will go away once you stop using Nitrofurantoin. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure or still have worries, but don't stop taking Nitrofurantoin. However, don't be afraid because this impact is usually brief and completely harmless.

    Yes, Nitrofurantoin is a powerful & good antibiotic as it works against a range of bacteria in the urinary tract, such as E.coli, Enterococcus faecalis, & species of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Staphylococcus. It is advised to use Nitrofurantoin only after having culture tests done to prevent infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

    Nitrofurantoin has a warning sign for those with a history of kidney, heart, liver problems, infants >3-months of age & pregnant patients at term, or people hypersensitive to nitrofurantoin or any of the ingredients. Patients with anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, and folate insufficiency should take nitrofurantoin with caution.

    Patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) should drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water each day to flush the infection out of their system. Drinking fluids until the urine is clear and the stream is forceful is the most excellent method to flush the infection out of the system.

    Nitrofurantoin is not a suitable choice for the elderly above the age of 65 as their kidneys may not function as well as they once did, resulting in the slow metabolism of medicines. Thus remains in your system for an extended period raising the risk of adverse effects.
    Consult our experts for more information on Nitrofurantoin.
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