Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat kidney and urinary tract infections. It is particularly effective due to the concentration of the medication in the urine after ingestion (however, this makes it less effective for fighting infections in other areas of the body).

Nitrofurantoin is the active ingredient and the generic name of the medication. It is also available elsewhere as a branded treatment, Macrobid. However, it should be noted, the generic and the branded versions are identical in contents and effects.

Nitrofurantoin is an effective treatment for cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) which is caused by a bacterial infection. As an antibiotic, it kills and slows the growth of the bacteria that are causing the infection. This allows your immune system to fight back and clear the infection.

This treatment is particularly good for bacterial UTIs, as once you have ingested a tablet, your body will filter it into your urine. This means the concentration of the active ingredient is higher, helping you to fight bacteria in areas of the body where urine passes. For this reason, Nitrofurantoin is the first-line treatment for cystitis.

As with all antibiotics, you must complete the entire course of this treatment to ensure the infection has completely cleared.

For women:

One 100mg MR tablet should be taken orally, twice daily, for three days. Doses should be taken in the morning and the evening. Doses should be taken with a meal or milk. This is to help the body absorb the tablet, and should also reduce side effects (such as nausea).

If symptoms persist beyond 3 days, you can continue to take the medication until they are alleviated, for up to 7 days.

If you find symptoms persist after 7 days, please seek immediate medical advice.

For men:

UTIs are less common infections for men. They are also considered more complicated due to an increased likelihood of there being a serious underlying medical condition. Men should take 100 mg of Nitrofurantoin twice daily, for 7 days.

Alternatively, take 50mg of Nitrofurantoin 4 times daily, for 7 days.

If you find symptoms persist after 7 days, please seek immediate medical advice.

The most common side effect of this medication is nausea. The chance of this occurring can be reduced if the doses are taken with meals. Nitrofurantoin can also turn urine a dark yellow or brown colour. This is completely normal and will resolve itself once the course has been completed.

Other common side effects include (but are not limited to):

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea
• Headache

Rare side effects may include:

• Lung inflammation
• Liver problems
• Nerve damage
• Hemolysis (red blood cell damage)

Please note, this is by no means a complete list of side effects, and in any case of feeling seriously unwell, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Patients with heavily compromised renal function should not be treated with Nitrofurantoin as it will not work for them. The same applies to patients with porphyria or G6PD deficiency.

Nitrofurantoin is generally well-tolerated, however you should consult with a doctor and exercise caution if you suffer from any of the following:

• Diabetes
• Anaemia
• history of allergic reactions
• kidney problems

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Nitrofurantoin should not be taken shortly before giving birth due to the risk of it affecting the infant during labour or delivery.

Please consult with your doctor before using Nitrofurantoin when breastfeeding.

Interactions

You should also inform your doctor of any medications you are taking. Equally, you should complete our consultation thoroughly and honestly. Certain treatments are known to interact negatively with Nitrofurantoin, for example:

• Antigout preparations, e.g. sulfinpyrazone, probenecid
• Glaucoma medication, e.g. acetazolamide
• Quinolone antibiotics, e.g. nalidixic acid
• Typhoid vaccine

Alcohol

Alcohol should be avoided when using this treatment as it may increase the chance of side effects occurring.

Alcohol causes dehydration, which in turn affects the ability of the body to fight the infection. This is because bacteria cannot be as easily flushed from the urinary tract.

It is advised to drink plenty of water to help treat UTIs.

To purchase this treatment in the UK, you are required to have a prescription. Our service provides a prescription, assuming our doctors approve the medication for your use. You must first complete a confidential consultation. We will then ship your order with next-day delivery to a work or home address. All orders are packaged discreetly.