Have you ever had discomfort like burning when urinating, frequent urination, or lower abdominal pain? When you go to see a doctor at a time like this, he or she may prescribe a medicine called Nitrofurantoin as a treatment for your Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). It is normal for you to be a little curious and perhaps even nervous about this medicine. So, let's talk about it today to clear up any doubts you may have.
Simply put, what is Nitrofurantoin?
This is a type of antibiotic . Simply put, it is a medicine that kills bacteria that enter our bodies. Nitrofurantoin is specifically used to treat infections caused by bacteria in the urinary tract, that is, the bladder or urethra .
It is very important to note that this medicine only works on bacterial infections. If you have a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, this medicine will not help.
Therefore, you should avoid using this type of medication without the advice of a doctor.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is notification important? |
|---|---|
| Kidney disease | When the kidneys are not working properly, the elimination of this medication from the body may be delayed and side effects may increase. |
| Liver disease | It is important to inform your doctor if you already have liver disease, as this medication can affect the liver in rare cases. |
| Anemia or other chronic diseases | The risk of side effects may increase when the body is weak. |
| Diabetes | This medication may slightly increase the risk of nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy) in diabetics. |
| G6PD deficiency (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) | This is a hereditary condition. People with this condition are at risk of red blood cell destruction due to this medication. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | This medication may not be suitable for use during late pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about this. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or substances | This is important to prevent a recurrence if you have previously had an allergy to nitrofurantoin or another antibiotic. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- The most important thing is to take this medicine with a meal or a glass of milk. This can greatly reduce stomach discomfort and nausea.
- Take the prescribed dose at the time prescribed by the doctor. Do not skip doses.
- Even if you feel better, you should take this medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medicine after two or three days because you feel a little better. If you do, the infection may not be completely cured and may recur later.
- If giving to children: Give as directed by your doctor. Although this medicine is sometimes prescribed to children, there are some special precautions to be taken.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
Take the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is very close to your next dose (e.g., 1-2 hours), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take double doses.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, nitrofurantoin can cause side effects in some people. But don't worry, most people won't. Let's break these down into two parts.
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Lung problems | Unexplained dry cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Nerve-related problems | Feeling pain, numbness, or burning in the hands or feet. |
| Severe diarrhea | Severe, watery diarrhea accompanied by fever. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. (This is often reduced when the medicine is taken with food.) |
| Urine color | The color of the urine may turn brown or dark yellow. This is normal and will resolve after stopping the medication. |
Other things to be careful about when taking medication
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking several glasses of water a day will help cleanse the urinary tract and help the infection heal faster.
- Tell your doctor about other medications: Tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking. Some medications (e.g., antacids containing magnesium, some gout medications) may interact with nitrofurantoin.
- Diabetics: If you are diabetic, some urine test strips may give a false positive result for sugar. Talk to your doctor about this.
- How to store medicine: Keep out of reach of children, at room temperature, and away from light. Be sure to discard expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic given to treat urinary tract infections caused by bacteria.
- Always take this medicine with a meal or a glass of milk .
- Even if you feel well, take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor .
- If you experience any severe side effects such as difficulty breathing, skin rash, or yellowing of the eyes, contact your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
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