Sometimes when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), your doctor may prescribe a liquid medicine, especially for a young child. One of these medications is Nitrofurantoin. So how exactly do you use this medicine? What are the things you need to be careful about? Let's talk about all this in a simple way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is Nitrofurantoin?
Simply put, nitrofurantoin is a type of antibiotic. That is, a medicine that kills bacteria. It is mainly used to treat urinary tract infections caused by bacteria .
It is very important to note that since this is an antibiotic, it will not cure viral illnesses such as the common cold, cough, and flu. Therefore, never use this without a doctor's prescription.
You may also find this medicine under the brand name Furadantin.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your medical history. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it. This is very important for your safety.
| Illness or condition | Description (Tell your doctor if it applies to you) |
|---|---|
| Anemia | If you have anemia. |
| Diabetes | If you are diabetic. |
| G6PD deficiency | If you have a genetic condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. |
| Kidney, liver, or lung disease | If you have any medical condition related to this organ. |
| Other long-term illnesses | If you have any other chronic illness. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to nitrofurantoin or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How exactly should I use this medicine?
To get the best results from this medicine, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Shake well: Since this is a suspension, you need to shake the bottle well before using it. This will ensure that the ingredients are mixed properly.
- Accurate measurement: Measure the exact amount your doctor tells you to take. Do not use regular household teaspoons, as they are not accurate. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or cup that comes with the medicine. If you do not have one, ask your doctor about it.
- Take with food: If this medicine causes stomach upset, take it with food or a glass of milk . This will reduce the discomfort to a great extent. If giving to young children, this liquid medicine can be mixed with water, milk, fruit juice, or infant formula.
- Complete the course: This is the most important thing. Even if you feel better, you should take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, the infection may not be completely cured and may come back later.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. 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 to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What other drugs may interact with this medicine? (Drug Interactions)
Some medications can affect each other when taken together. We call this drug interaction. Therefore, if you are taking any of the medications listed below while taking this medicine, tell your doctor about it.
- Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate are often taken for stomach ulcers.
- Probenecid ( a medicine used to treat conditions such as gout)
- Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.
- Sulfinpyrazone
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, it is best to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements) . Don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, nitrofurantoin can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are mild.
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Effects on the lungs | Unexplained dry cough, difficulty breathing. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Effects on nerves | Pain and numbness in the limbs. |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe stomach pain and fever, sudden eye pain or blurred vision, unusual tiredness or dizziness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting (these can be reduced by taking the medicine with food). |
If you notice anything unusual that is not on this list, talk to your doctor about that too.
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep away from children: This is very important. Always keep medicines out of the reach of small children.
- Temperature: Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius). Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Protect from light: Keep away from direct sunlight or bright light.
- Discard after expiration: Throw away any remaining medicine as soon as the expiration date on the bottle has passed.
Take-Home Message
- Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic liquid medicine used to treat urinary tract infections. It does not work against viral infections.
- Before taking the medicine, you should tell your doctor about any other illnesses, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine exactly for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you feel better.
- If you experience any serious side effects (such as difficulty breathing, skin blistering, yellowing of the eyes), contact your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else, even if your symptoms are similar.
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