Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection FAQs
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Nitrofurantoin is a prescription medication used to treat urinary tract infections. Nitrofurantoin is in a class of medications called antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infection.
Antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin will not work for colds, flu or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
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Nitrofurantoin is usually taken by mouth with food or milk four times daily for at least seven days to treat an infection or once daily at bedtime to prevent infections.
For the best results, take nitrofurantoin at evenly spaced times. Try to take it at the same times every day.1 Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nitrofurantoin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Dosage and duration are based on your medical condition and response to therapy.2
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Nitrofurantoin should start working within three to five days, although it may take up to a week for symptoms to clear.
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For adults, 50-100 mg dosages are typically prescribed for UTI treatment or prevention. The dosage can vary by patient. Always follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.3 RedBox Rx offers 100 mg dosage of nitrofurantoin for UTI treatment.
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Nitrofurantoin is available by prescription only and can be purchased online. Start an online doctor consultation for urinary tract infection with RedBox Rx to see if nitrofurantoin could be right for you.
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Nitrofurantoin at RedBox Rx is $20 for the medication with a $39 online doctor consultation, one of the lowest prices available online. No insurance required.
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Before taking nitrofurantoin:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nitrofurantoin, any other medications or any of the ingredients in nitrofurantoin capsules or suspension (liquid). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antacids that contain magnesium, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), delafloxacin (Baxdela), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin or probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease or if you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or other liver problems while taking nitrofurantoin. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take nitrofurantoin.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia, diabetes, lung problems, nerve damage, an electrolyte imbalance in your blood, low levels of vitamin B in your body or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking nitrofurantoin, call your doctor. Nitrofurantoin may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last month of pregnancy. Nitrofurantoin should not be taken by women in the last month of pregnancy.
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Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Nitrofurantoin may cause side effects, including:
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Loss of appetite.
Heartburn or gas.
Hair loss.
Headache.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.
Nitrofurantoin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
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Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up, and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community.
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In case of overdose, call the Poison Control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
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Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to nitrofurantoin.
If you have diabetes and your doctor has told you to test your urine for glucose (sugar), tell the doctor that you are taking nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin can cause false results on urine tests for glucose.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the nitrofurantoin, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over the counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Common brand names for nitrofurantoin include:
Furadantin®
Macrodantin®
Macrobid®
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