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Nitrofurantoin

Who can take nitrofurantoin

Most adults can take nitrofurantoin, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most children can also take it.

Who may not be able to take nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • ever had an allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin or any other medicine
  • porphyria, a rare blood disorder
  • glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a rare condition that affects your red blood cells
  • severe kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • a lung condition
  • problems with your liver
  • any condition causing severe weakness
  • anaemia or vitamin B deficiency

Dosage

The dose of nitrofurantoin you take depends on whether it's to treat or prevent a urinary tract infection, your age, and how bad the infection is.

Nitrofurantoin tablets and capsules come as 50mg or 100mg strengths. The slow release capsules are 100mg. The liquid comes as 25mg in 5ml.

The usual adult dose of nitrofurantoin is:

  • to treat a urinary tract infection – either 100mg taken as slow release capsules, twice a day, or 50mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, 4 times a day. Severe infections may need a higher dose of 100mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, 4 times a day
  • to prevent a urinary tract infection – 50mg to 100mg taken as standard tablets or capsules, once a day at night

Doses are usually lower for children. Your child's doctor will work out the correct dose based on your child's weight or age.

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. If you're taking nitrofurantoin twice a day, leave 12 hours between each dose – for example, take it at 8am and 8pm.

If you're taking it 4 times a day, this will usually be first thing in the morning, at about midday, late in the afternoon, and at bedtime.

Carry on taking this medicine until you finish the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your problem could come back.

Swallow nitrofurantoin tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.

Nitrofurantoin also comes as a liquid for younger children or people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.

If you're taking nitrofurantoin as a liquid, the medicine will come with a syringe or spoon to help you take the right amount. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

Take nitrofurantoin with or after a meal or snack. This helps your body absorb the medicine, as well as helping to prevent stomach upset.

How long to take it for

If you're taking nitrofurantoin to:

  • treat a urinary tract infection, you usually need to take it for 3 to 7 days
  • stop urinary tract infections coming back, you may need to take it for several months
  • prevent an infection when having surgery, you'll usually need to take it on the day of the operation and for the next 3 days

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of nitrofurantoin, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking an extra dose of nitrofurantoin is unlikely to harm you.

You've taken more than your prescribed dose of nitrofurantoin and:

  • you're worried or get severe side effects
  • you've taken more than 1 extra dose

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

Call 111 if you're asking about a child under the age of 5 years.

If you go to A&E, take the nitrofurantoin box or leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.

Common side effects

There are things you can do to help cope with these common side effects of nitrofurantoin.

Keep taking the medicine, but speak to a doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Nitrofurantoin may cause your pee to turn dark yellow or a brownish colour. This is normal and is not a reason to stop taking the medicine. Your pee will return to its usual colour once you stop taking nitrofurantoin.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you have:

  • a cough, coughing up blood or mucus, shortness of breath, pain when you breathe or a high temperature – these can be signs of lung problems
  • pale poo and dark pee together, or the whites of your eyes turn yellow or your skin turns yellow (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin) – this can be a sign of liver or gallbladder problems
  • bruising or bleeding you cannot explain (including nosebleeds), sore throat, a high temperature and feeling tired or generally unwell – these can be signs of blood problems
  • severe headaches

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

  • you get chest pain or difficulty breathing – these can be signs of lung problems
  • you get pins and needles, tingling sensations, numbness or weakness – these can be signs of nerve problems

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of nitrofurantoin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Nitrofurantoin and pregnancy

Nitrofurantoin may be taken during pregnancy, but it is generally best avoided in the third trimester because there's a small chance it could cause problems with your baby's red blood cells.

Most babies will not have this problem, but your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Nitrofurantoin and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take nitrofurantoin while breastfeeding.

Nitrofurantoin passes into breast milk in small amounts and is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. But it's best to take nitrofurantoin only for a short time. If you need to take it for longer than a few weeks, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take nitrofurantoin while breastfeeding if your baby has:

  • jaundice – signs include yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), dark pee and pale poo
  • glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a rare condition that affects red blood cells

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, has a stomach upset, or has oral thrush (a fungal infection in their mouth), or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Nitrofurantoin and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking nitrofurantoin reduces fertility in either men or women.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that do not mix well with nitrofurantoin.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking nitrofurantoin:

  • indigestion remedies known as antacids, particularly those that contain magnesium
  • cystitis remedies you can buy from a pharmacy
  • antibiotics known as quinolones, including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin

Typhoid vaccines given by mouth may not work properly if you're taking nitrofurantoin. It does not affect typhoid vaccines given by injection.

Mixing nitrofurantoin with herbal remedies and supplements

It's not possible to say that complementary medicines or herbal remedies are safe to take with nitrofurantoin. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

Related links

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111 public posts

nitrofurantoin mono

hi, is this antibiotic aggravate or exacerbate restless leg, I'd appreciate if anyone has the experiences reply to me, my doctor prescribe it for my urinary tract infection. Because of RLS, I hesitate to take it . Thanks a lot for all of you.
hi, is this antibiotic aggravate or exacerbate restless leg, I'd appreciate if anyone has the experiences reply to me, my doctor prescribe it for my urinary tract infection. Because of RLS, I hesitate to take it . Thanks a lot for all of you.
halperinchen profile image
halperinchen
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 month ago

Pprednisolone and nitrofurantoin

Hello all - was going really down to 4mgs but stuck there for 4 years.Then the dreaded UTI struck and I was prescribed 6 tablets nitrofruantoin over 3 days. Took first one yesterday, was very sick all night and now left with all over pains, dizziness and weakness. Is there a correlation? Never felt this
Hello all - was going really down to 4mgs but stuck there for 4 years.Then the dreaded UTI struck and I was prescribed 6 tablets nitrofruantoin over 3 days. Took first one yesterday, was very sick all night and now left with all over pains, dizziness and weakness. Is there a correlation? Never felt this
Poshdog profile image
Poshdog
in PMRGCAuk
4 months ago

Objective tinnitus help please.

She did have a UTI a couple of weeks ago and took Nitrofurantoin for it but became extremely unbalanced, and stopped it after four days. The UTI cleared, but the feeling of poor balance lingered on for a week. Now she has this tinnitus. Does anyone have any idea how to relieve the noise?
She did have a UTI a couple of weeks ago and took Nitrofurantoin for it but became extremely unbalanced, and stopped it after four days. The UTI cleared, but the feeling of poor balance lingered on for a week. Now she has this tinnitus. Does anyone have any idea how to relieve the noise?
jointpain profile image
jointpain
in Tinnitus UK
22 days ago
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UTI treatment for ckd patients

Last year January, I was prescribed nitrofurantoin/macrobid for infection. It resolved but wondering if any harm to kidneys?Pretty miserable now with UTI. I'm stage 2 ckd. Thanks
Last year January, I was prescribed nitrofurantoin/macrobid for infection. It resolved but wondering if any harm to kidneys?Pretty miserable now with UTI. I'm stage 2 ckd. Thanks
Dana66CKD profile image
Dana66CKD
in Kidney Disease
5 months ago

being ignored by my go and their receptionists.

Yesterday I received an email from Lloyds direct informing me that the Nitrofurantoin is discontinued because the manufacturer no longer makes it.
Yesterday I received an email from Lloyds direct informing me that the Nitrofurantoin is discontinued because the manufacturer no longer makes it.
Billy3421 profile image
Billy3421
in Anxiety and Depression Support
2 months ago

Persistent leukocytes in urine without real UTI infection or problems normal or not?

For medication, she was prescribed Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid).
For medication, she was prescribed Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid).
sinombre profile image
sinombre
in Women's Health
3 months ago

UTI’s

The Doctor has sent away my sample and meanwhile has prescribed MacroBID Nitrofurantoin anti biotic tablets, 2 per day. Hopefully they will clear up the problem (s).
The Doctor has sent away my sample and meanwhile has prescribed MacroBID Nitrofurantoin anti biotic tablets, 2 per day. Hopefully they will clear up the problem (s).
Villa82 profile image
Villa82
in PMRGCAuk
6 months ago

NNitrofurantoin Help

aa Dr has prescribed me nitrofurantoin however I am still on my loadin doses an only been on folic acid for 10 days. Has anyone been ok on this. It says don't take use caution if got b deficiencies and low haemoglobinhaemoglobin.
aa Dr has prescribed me nitrofurantoin however I am still on my loadin doses an only been on folic acid for 10 days. Has anyone been ok on this. It says don't take use caution if got b deficiencies and low haemoglobinhaemoglobin.
mabs79 profile image
mabs79
in Pernicious Anaemia Society
6 months ago

Threads in urine

I didn’t go to the doctors but order Nitrofurantoin as I wasn’t able to get to one for over a week as I was going away. I’m just a bit worried on what it could be or should I just forget about it and see if it goes away. Should I get another STI kit ?
I didn’t go to the doctors but order Nitrofurantoin as I wasn’t able to get to one for over a week as I was going away. I’m just a bit worried on what it could be or should I just forget about it and see if it goes away. Should I get another STI kit ?
Ladybitsandbobs profile image
Ladybitsandbobs
in Women's Health
5 months ago

Bloodwork results scared me,!

I ve been fighting a bad bladder infection the last 4months.Had my cytoscopy a month ago which showed an inflamed bladder.Was put on 15 mg of prednisone by reumy in June.Was prescribed Nitrofurantoin which I know is a strong med but my infection was resistant to most popular meds.I asked my gp to send
I ve been fighting a bad bladder infection the last 4months.Had my cytoscopy a month ago which showed an inflamed bladder.Was put on 15 mg of prednisone by reumy in June.Was prescribed Nitrofurantoin which I know is a strong med but my infection was resistant to most popular meds.I asked my gp to send
Hunter134 profile image
Hunter134
in PMRGCAuk
8 months ago

Might rising tumor markers be caused by infection rather than metastatic cancer?

If the cancer markers go back down after a 7 day course of nitrofurantoin mcr 100 mg 2x/day and therefore seem to have been caused by the UTI infection instead of being a sign of metastatic BC, I'll log in next week to let everyone know. A little science experiment. Fingers crossed!
If the cancer markers go back down after a 7 day course of nitrofurantoin mcr 100 mg 2x/day and therefore seem to have been caused by the UTI infection instead of being a sign of metastatic BC, I'll log in next week to let everyone know. A little science experiment. Fingers crossed!
Rte66 profile image
Rte66
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer
6 months ago

NITROFURANTOIN (ANTIBIOTIC)

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this drug prescribed for UTI or indeed anything else.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this drug prescribed for UTI or indeed anything else.
ReverendBadger profile image
ReverendBadger
in Multiple System Atrophy Trust
11 months ago

Long story but about to have transplant assessment but really suffering with ascities, odeama and looking for advice re drains

He was put on Amoxycillin twice, then treated for a fungal infection, candida and put on a course of Nitrofurantoin and Fluconazole.
He was put on Amoxycillin twice, then treated for a fungal infection, candida and put on a course of Nitrofurantoin and Fluconazole.
Elvishaslefttheroom profile image
Elvishaslefttheroom
in British Liver Trust
5 months ago

ongoing cystitis

Then the infections came back sooner and sooner so for the past 2 years I have been on continuous prophylactic antibiotics rotating mainly between Nitrofurantoin and Trimothroprin to try and prevent me becoming resistant to any one type.
Then the infections came back sooner and sooner so for the past 2 years I have been on continuous prophylactic antibiotics rotating mainly between Nitrofurantoin and Trimothroprin to try and prevent me becoming resistant to any one type.
janfarrugia profile image
janfarrugia
in Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
10 months ago

I need to lose 14 lbs.

I have had echo cardiogram and other than some mild calcifications on the aortic valve my heart is healthy I have chronic urinary infections for around 2-3 years but I am now on permanent nitrofurantoin 50 mgms at night. I have had bladder biopsy which was benign.
I have had echo cardiogram and other than some mild calcifications on the aortic valve my heart is healthy I have chronic urinary infections for around 2-3 years but I am now on permanent nitrofurantoin 50 mgms at night. I have had bladder biopsy which was benign.
Susan1942 profile image
Susan1942
Visitorin Weight Loss Support
5 months ago

Has this happened to anyone else?

I mentioned this to the consultant and my correspondence would then come 'ILD thought Nitrofurantoin related.' I now also have quite severe Pulmonary Hypertension which is a co-morbidity of PF/IPF.
I mentioned this to the consultant and my correspondence would then come 'ILD thought Nitrofurantoin related.' I now also have quite severe Pulmonary Hypertension which is a co-morbidity of PF/IPF.
Little-Lung-Lulu profile image
Little-Lung-Lulu
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
1 year ago

Severe constant pelvic pain

My urine sample yesterday showed some leukocytes which means UTI but I’ve tried both nitrofurantoin and now trimethoprim and I’m still in agony. Is this chronic pelvic pain that I have to live with forever? I’m taking naproxen painkillers but still suffering.
My urine sample yesterday showed some leukocytes which means UTI but I’ve tried both nitrofurantoin and now trimethoprim and I’m still in agony. Is this chronic pelvic pain that I have to live with forever? I’m taking naproxen painkillers but still suffering.
Patience147 profile image
Patience147
in Pelvic Pain Support Network
1 year ago

UTI and antibiotics

We went to our GP and the nurse prescribed MacroBID 100mg (Nitrofurantoin). He has been taking them twice a day just after meals. This is his third day and there seems to be very little improvement . He is still complaining of pain when passing urine.
We went to our GP and the nurse prescribed MacroBID 100mg (Nitrofurantoin). He has been taking them twice a day just after meals. This is his third day and there seems to be very little improvement . He is still complaining of pain when passing urine.
Bax21 profile image
Bax21
in Multiple System Atrophy Trust
8 months ago

Nitrofurantoin

I have been prescribed Nitrofurantoin antibiotics for a uti and told to take 4 a day for 3 days with food. I’ve just come out of hospital and been told I have to take these. I’m a bit wary because of the side effects, and the main one being nausea/ vomiting.
I have been prescribed Nitrofurantoin antibiotics for a uti and told to take 4 a day for 3 days with food. I’ve just come out of hospital and been told I have to take these. I’m a bit wary because of the side effects, and the main one being nausea/ vomiting.
Amansfield profile image
Amansfield
in Women's Health
2 years ago

Mycophenolate or Azathioprine ?

When I was hospitalised with drug induced hepatitis in January (thought to be due to long term prophylactic Nitrofurantoin) I was taken off my Hydroxychloroquine for a month when the first rash started.
When I was hospitalised with drug induced hepatitis in January (thought to be due to long term prophylactic Nitrofurantoin) I was taken off my Hydroxychloroquine for a month when the first rash started.
Spotty-ewe profile image
Spotty-ewe
in LUPUS UK
13 days ago
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