Macrodantin (Nitrofurantoin)

(℞) Prescription Required

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Nitrofurantoin (Macrocrystalline) 50mg

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Teva Pharmaceuticals
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Nitrofurantoin (Macrocrystalline) 50mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Nitrofurantoin (Macrocrystalline) 100mg

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Teva Pharmaceuticals
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Nitrofurantoin (Macrocrystalline) 100mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals
Select your dosage

Macrodantin (Nitrofurantoin) Dosage and Side Effects

MACRODANTIN is used for treating and preventing urinary tract infections caused by certain bacteria. MACRODANTIN is an antibiotic for specific use in the urinary tract. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Proper Use of this medication

Use MACRODANTIN as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • Take MACRODANTIN by mouth with food.
  • Do not take an antacid that has magnesium trisilicate in it while you are taking MACRODANTIN. Check with your pharmacist if you are unsure which antacids have magnesium trisilicate in them.
  • Drinking extra fluids while you are taking MACRODANTIN is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
  • To clear up your infection completely, take MACRODANTIN for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
  • If you miss a dose of MACRODANTIN, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use MACRODANTIN.

Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

  • Gas; headache; loss of appetite; mild diarrhea; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

  • Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody or watery stools; bluish skin or nails; blurred vision or other vision changes (eg, vision loss); butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks; confusion; eye pain; joint or muscle pain; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); persistent feeling of being unwell; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent headache; severe stomach pain or cramps; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, severe or persistent nausea or loss of appetite, stomach pain); symptoms of lung problems (eg, fever, chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual or persistent cough); tingling, numbness, or burning of the hands or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.

Warnings and Precautions

Do NOT use MACRODANTIN if:

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in MACRODANTIN
  • you are pregnant and at term (38 to 42 weeks pregnant), you are about to go into labor, or you are in labor
  • you have decreased kidney function or decreased urination, or if you are unable to urinate
  • you have a history of liver problems or yellowing of the skin or eyes after taking any form of MACRODANTIN
  • the patient is younger than 1 month old

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using MACRODANTIN:

Some medical conditions may interact with MACRODANTIN. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
  • if you have anemia, diabetes, blood electrolyte problems, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, kidney problems, liver problems, nerve problems (eg, peripheral neuropathy), porphyria (a certain blood problem), or low levels of vitamin B in your blood
  • if you have a history of lung problems (eg, diffuse interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis)
  • if you have very poor health

Important safety information:

  • MACRODANTIN may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use MACRODANTIN with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
  • MACRODANTIN may rarely cause severe and sometimes fatal lung problems. If this occurs, it is usually in patients who take MACRODANTIN for 6 months or longer. These problems may occur without warning signs. If you will be using MACRODANTIN for a long period of time, your doctor may perform lung function tests to check for side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you develop fever, chills, chest pain, unusual cough, trouble breathing (especially while you are being active), other breathing problems, or persistent feeling of being unwell.
  • MACRODANTIN may rarely cause severe and sometimes fatal liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale stools; or severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain.
  • MACRODANTIN may rarely cause severe and sometimes fatal nerve problems. The risk may be greater in patients who have decreased kidney function, anemia, diabetes, electrolyte problems, or low blood vitamin B levels. Tell your doctor right away if you develop numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet.
  • Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
  • Long-term or repeated use of MACRODANTIN may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
  • MACRODANTIN only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
  • Be sure to use MACRODANTIN for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
  • MACRODANTIN may discolor the urine. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
  • Diabetes patients - MACRODANTIN may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
  • Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and lung function, may be performed while you use MACRODANTIN. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
  • Use MACRODANTIN with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially lung or liver problems.
  • MACRODANTIN should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 1 month old; the risk of anemia may be greater in these children.
  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using MACRODANTIN while you are pregnant. Do NOT take MACRODANTIN if you are at term (38 to 42 weeks pregnant), if you are about to go into labor, or if you are in labor. MACRODANTIN is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed infants younger than 1 month old while you are taking MACRODANTIN. If your child is older than 1 month, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Interactions with this medication

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with MACRODANTIN. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

  • Probenecid or sulfinpyrazone because they may increase the risk of MACRODANTIN's side effects or decrease MACRODANTIN's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if MACRODANTIN may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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