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| Pronunciation |
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 (nye
troe fyoor AN
toyn) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Furadantin®; Macrobid®;
Macrodantin® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Nitrofurantoin® (Canada); Furadantina
(Mexico); Macrodantina (Mexico); Nephronex® (Canada);
Novo-Furan®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antibiotic, Miscellaneous |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to nitrofurantoin or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have kidney disease.
- If you are pregnant and in labor.
- Do not give to infants less than 1 month old, infants with a fever and
a urinary tract infection, young children where there may be kidney
problems.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections.
It can also be used to prevent urinary tract infection in patients who get 3 or
more per year.
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|
| How does it work? |
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- Nitrofurantoin interferes with the bacteria's ability to
live.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with food to decrease stomach upset.
- Do not take antacids within 6 hours of using this medicine.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- For children, liquid (suspension) may be mixed with water, milk, fruit
juice, or infant formula.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Do not use if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Be careful if you have G-6-PD deficiency. Anemia may occur. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Changes color of urine to a dark black, brown or
yellow.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If you are diabetic, this medicine may interfere with
Clinitest®. Use another method of urine glucose testing
like Clinistix® or
Tes-Tape®.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Numbness and tingling, weakness, pins and needles feeling in legs,
feet, hands or arms.
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath, fever, chills, chest pain and/or
cough.
- Severe nausea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Do not freeze liquid
(suspension).
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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