About nitrofurantoin
Nitrofuran antibiotic
Used for
- Treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections
- Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections
Usual adult dose
Treatment: 100 mg twice daily for 5–7 days; prevention: 50–100 mg at bedtime.
Usual dose in children
Treatment: 5–7 mg/kg/day in four divided doses for 7 days; prevention: 1–2 mg/kg at bedtime.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Headache or dizziness
- Brown urine
- Rare lung, liver, or nerve injury
Important warnings
- Not for kidney infections or severe kidney impairment.
- Long-term use can rarely damage lungs, liver, or nerves.
- Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, jaundice, or numbness.
- Avoid in infants under one month.
Pregnancy
Avoid near delivery; use during pregnancy only when clinically appropriate, as advised by a clinician.
Breastfeeding
Generally compatible, but avoid if the infant is under one month or has G6PD deficiency.
Interactions
- Magnesium trisilicate antacids can reduce absorption.
- Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone may increase toxicity.
- Quinolone antibiotics may have reduced antibacterial effects.
- Urine alkalinizers may reduce effectiveness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.