MacroBID Nitrofurantoin

There may be alternative medicines you can take to remove the infection, or your doctor might allow you to use the treatment under careful monitoring to make sure you don’t suffer with any adverse effects.

There are also some medicines that might interact with nitrofurantoin, either affecting the antibiotic or the other medicines. Some of the drugs that might interact are:

• Antacids (especially that contain magnesium)
• Probenecid and Sulfinpyrazone (medicines for gout)
• OTC remedies for cystitis
• Quinolone antibiotics
• Oral typhoid vaccine

If you’re taking any of the above medicines, please speak to your doctor before taking nitrofurantoin.

What are the side effects of nitrofurantoin?

Most medicines carry the risk of side effects, and antibiotics are no exception to this rule. Some of the symptoms listed are more serious than others, but if you experience any of them to an alarming or distressing degree, please contact your doctor urgently to discuss alternative treatments or remedies to cope with the side effects. The most commonly reported effects are:

• Problems with lungs
• Change of sensation
• Change in muscle use/strength
• Headache
• Mood changes
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Blurred vision
• Severe headache
• Jaundice
• Inflamed liver
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Temporary hair loss
• Coloured urine (this should go away when you stop taking the antibiotics)
• Rash of some description
• Infections of the genitals or urinary tract (caused by bacteria that isn’t sensitive to nitrofurantoin)

The most common side effect is gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. If you feel that you need help with coping with this side effect, it might help to take the antibiotics with a meal, as this can reduce the risk of stomach upset.

There are also some combinations of symptoms that you need to be aware of so that you can call for urgent medical help if you need it.

If you notice pale stools and dark urine accompanied by jaundice, this indicates that there’s a problem with the kidneys or gallbladder. You should stop taking the medication until you speak to a doctor about your symptoms.

If you experience strange feelings like pins and needles or tingling, this might be a sign of nerve issues. Call your doctor or 111 if it’s out of hours.

If you’ve experiencing unexplained bleeding our bruising (sometimes accompanies by a sore throat, temperature, and generally feeling unwell), this might suggest that there’s an issue with your blood. Please seek urgent treatment to prevent any condition from progressing.

How long does nitrofurantoin take to work?

Patients taking nitrofurantoin usually feel better within a few days. If you’re taking the antibiotic for an acute infection, you’ll usually take them for anywhere between 3-7 days. If you don’t start to notice an improvement within 3 days, please get in touch with your doctor as it might be the wrong antibiotic for your infection.

Can I drink alcohol with nitrofurantoin?

Most antibiotics don’t react well with alcohol, but with nitrofurantoin, it’s safe to drink in moderation.

What happens if I take too much nitrofurantoin?

If you’ve accidentally taken a double-dose, there shouldn’t be any life threatening consequences. However, taking more of the medicine than you’re supposed to can increase the chances of you feeling some unpleasant side effects. Try not to take too much nitrofurantoin regularly. If you struggle to remember how much you’ve taken, it might help to buy a pill box that you can dispense your medicines into so you can see how many you’ve already had.

Will nitrofurantoin give me thrush?

With antibiotics such as these, there’s a chance that you might develop genital thrush. This is because the medicine upsets the balance of bacteria in your genitals. If this happens, it can be treated with a miconazole cream such as Daktarin.

How can I prevent UTIs?

Sometimes, UTIs can’t be prevented (for example, if someone is retaining urine due to an underlying condition), but following these steps can help you to prevent getting one in day-to-day life.

• Always pee after sex to flush any bacteria
• Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear around your genital area
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid highly concentrated urine –a breeding ground for bacteria
• Choose showers instead of baths so bacteria are washed away instead of being allowed to sit near your genitals in a warm and damp environment
• Avoid using scented products around the genitals
• Empty your bladder as soon as you feel you need to, and try to empty it completely to avoid urine retention
• Always wipe from front to back when you’ve finished on the toilet