Pregnancy Interaction

• FDA Pregnancy Category B.
• Safe Use: Most people think it's safe to use during the second and third trimesters.
• Warning: Don't use during the last few weeks of pregnancy (38–42 weeks) because it could cause hemolytic anemia in the baby.
• Advice: Only use if a doctor tells you to and you really need it.

Faq For Medicine

Q.Is it safe for me to take Nitrofurantoin while I'm pregnant?
Usually safe during the middle to late stages of pregnancy, but talk to your doctor. Stay away from near term.

Q.Can I eat it with food?
Yes, taking it with food or milk makes your stomach feel better.

Q.How long does it take to complete its job?
The symptoms usually get better in 2 to 3 days, but you have to finish the whole course.

Q.Can it cure all urinary tract infections?
It is mostly for bladder infections, which are in the lower urinary tract. Not good for kidney infections.

Q.What happens if I skip a dose?
Take it as soon as you can. If it's close to the next dose, don't take the missing one. Don't take two doses.

Expert Advice

• Even if your symptoms become better, you should always finish the whole course.
• Drinking a lot of water can help get rid of bacteria in the urinary tract.
• Don't use it if you have serious kidney problems.
• Let your doctor know right away if you have any allergic reactions or strange side effects.
• Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you're taking before you start.

Side Effects

• Often:
• Nausea, throwing up, and diarrhea
• Not wanting to eat
• Headache
• A little fever
• Very serious (need medical help):
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Coughing, chest pain, or trouble breathing
• Extreme tiredness or black urine
• Allergic reactions include a rash, itching, and swelling.

 How It Works

• Nitrofurantoin is a kind of antibiotic.
• It works by destroying the germs that cause infections in the urinary tract.
• It builds up in the urine, which makes it good for bladder infections but not for infections that spread throughout the body.

Medicine Interaction

• May work with:
• Antacids with magnesium trisilicate in them (lessens absorption)
• Probenecid (may make it less effective)
• Methenamine (don't mix with anything else)
• Always tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you are taking.

How to Use

• Route: By mouth (oral)
• The usual dose is 100 mg twice a day (or as directed).
• With eating: To avoid stomach upset, take with food or milk.
• Duration: 5 to 7 days, depending on the type of infection
• If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you are close to your next dose, skip it.

 Uses / Indications

• Treatment of simple urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Preventive use of prophylaxis in patients with recurrent UTIs
• Sometimes used for urinary infections during pregnancy with a doctor's supervision