NITROFURANTOIN (nye troe fyoor AN toyn) treats urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to a group of medications called antibiotics. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by viruses.
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Anemia
Diabetes
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Lung disease
Other chronic illness
An unusual or allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medication with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medication?
Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate
Probenecid
Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin
Sulfinpyrazone
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
Low red blood cell count—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
Severe diarrhea, fever
Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if you get new symptoms. Drink several glasses of water a day. If you are taking this medication for a long time, visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.
If you are diabetic, you may get a false positive result for sugar in your urine with certain brands of urine tests. Check with your care team.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
This information is educational only and should not be construed as specific instructions for individual patients nor as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about the information and instructions. K Health assumes no liability for any use or reliance on this information.
