Macrobid
Generic Name: Nitrofurantoin
Brand name: Macrobid
Indications
Macrobid is indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Dosage and Administration
Macrobid is available as 100mg capsules for oral administration.
Normal Dosage:
Macrobid capsules should be taken with food. Adults and Pediatric Patients over 12 Years should administer one 100 mg capsule every 12 hours for seven days.
Overdosage: Overdose symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Drug Description
The chemical name of nitrofurantoin macrocrystals is 1-[[[5-nitro-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]- 2,4-imidazolidinedione. The chemical structure is the following:
Molecular Weight: 238.16
The chemical name of nitrofurantoin monohydrate is 1-[[[5-nitro-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]- 2,4- imidazolidinedione monohydrate. The chemical structure is the following:
Molecular Weight: 256.17
Side effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Itching (pruritus)
- Diarrhoea
- Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
- Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Pain in the joints (arthralgia)
- Loss of appetite
- Damage to the lungs (pulmonary toxicity)
- Yellow or brown colouration of urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash
Precautions
- Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to do so.
- Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb Macrobid.
- This drug belongs to the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not likely to harm an unborn baby.
- Should not be used by infants younger than 1 month of age. They cannot properly eliminate the drug from their bodies, and dangerous side effects could result.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Macrobid, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- magnesium salicylate (Doan's Pills, Mobidin, Momentum);
- choline magnesium salicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate);
- probenecid (Benemid); or
- Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane).
