Nitrofurantoin

Brands

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin

  • Antibiotics, Other

Oral nitrofuran antibacterial agent specifically used to treat urinary tract infections caused by many gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria.

Urinary Tract Infection

Susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp, Klebsiella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and S saprophyticus

Renal failure (anuria, oliguria, or CrCl <60 mL/min)

Pregnancy at term (38-42 weeks of gestation)

History of hepatic dysfunction/cholestatic jaundice with nitrofurantoin

Neonates (<28 days)

Hypersensitivity

  • Anorexia
  • Arthralgia
  • Chest pains
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Clostridium difficile colitis
  • Cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dyspnea
  • Exfoliative dermatitis
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Flatulence
  • Headache
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Hepatitis
  • Increased LFTs
  • Itching
  • Nausea
  • Numbness
  • Paresthesia
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Stomach upset
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Urine discoloration
  • Vasculitis

Caution in patients with G6PD deficiency (may increase risk for hemolytic anemia)

Avoid long-term use in the elderly (may increase risk for pulmonary toxicity)

Renal impairment

Discontinue if paresthesia or hemolysis develop

Risk of occasional hepatotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity

Protect from light

Peripheral neuropathy may occur; risk may increase in patients diagnosed with anemia, diabetes, vitamin B deficiency, or electrolyte imbalance (use caution)

Acute/chronic pulmonary reactions (eg., cough, interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis) reported

Bacterial superinfections may occur with prolonged treatment

Pregnancy category: B; contraindicated at term

Crosses placenta, but not well distributed

Lactation: Enters breast milk; discontinue drug or do not nurse

Adults

200 mg/day PO for Macrobid; 400 mg/day PO for all other products.

Geriatric

200 mg/day PO for Macrobid; 400 mg/day PO for all other products.

Adolescents

200 mg/day for Macrobid; 7 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 400 mg/day) for all other products.

Children

7 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 400 mg/day) for all products except Macrobid; safety and efficacy of Macrobid not established in this population.

Infants

7 mg/kg/day PO.

Neonates

Contraindicated.

Nitrofurantoin macrocrystals

capsule, macrocrystals

  • 25mg
  • 50mg
  • 100mg

capsule, monohydrate/macrocystals

  • 100 mg

oral suspension

  • 25mg/5mL
Drugs Generic
Tags , ,

About the Author

postblaze

You may also like these

0