Consumer Information for: MACROBID

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for

MacroBID is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.
Antibacterial drugs like MACROBID treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

What it does

MacroBID is an antibiotic. It is activated when it is broken down by bacteria. After it is activated, MacroBID kills bacteria and prevents the growth of infections.

When it should not be used

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in MacroBID. Make sure to read “What are the ingredients in MacroBID?” above.
  • you have a severe disease of the kidneys.
  • you are in the final stages of pregnancy (in labour or during delivery) as there is a risk that it might affect the baby

Do not give MacroBID to newborns or infants under one month of age.

What the medicinal ingredient is

nitrofurantoin

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

carbomer 934P, corn starch, compressible sugar, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, talc, hard gelatin capsule shell (D&C Yellow No. 10, edetate calcium disodium, edible gray ink, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium propionate, and titanium dioxide).

What dosage form it comes in

MacroBID is available as a 100 mg capsule.

Warnings and precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MacroBID. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • have disease of the lungs. You may develop lung disease if you need to take MacroBID for a number of months. Your doctor must regularly check how your lungs are working. Talk to your doctor about benefits and risks of taking MacroBID for a long term.
  • have liver disease. Your doctor may want to regularly check how your liver is working. Your doctor may want to regularly check how your liver is working. If you get liver disease while taking MacroBID, you should immediately stop taking the medicine and talk to your doctor.
  • have kidney disease
  • lack an enzyme (body chemical) called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Your red blood cells are more easily damaged if you do not have this enzyme. This condition is more common in black people and people of Mediterranean or near- Eastern origin. Your doctor will know about this.
  • Are breast feeding a baby with suspected or known deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).
  • Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

Other warnings you should know about:

  • The following conditions may increase the chance of developing a side effect which causes damage to the nerves, altered sense of feeling, like pins and needles:
    • anaemia (a decrease in red blood cells causing pale skin, weakness and breathlessness);
    • diabetes
    • a lack of vitamin B
    • abnormal levels of salts in your blood.
    • you are suffering from an illness that makes you very tired

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Interactions with this medication

Medicines:

  • medicines for indigestion (Antacids e.g. magnesium trisilicate)
  • medicines for gout (e.g. probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)

You should not take MacroBID along with medicines that affect your kidneys

Laboratory tests:

  • If you are taking MacroBID, you may get false positive results when you test your urine for sugars (glucose).
Proper use of this medication

How to take MacroBID

  • MacroBID should be taken every 12 hours with food or milk. This will help to avoid upset stomach.
  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, MACROBID should be used exactly as directed.
  • Misuse or overuse of MACROBID could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by MACROBID (resistance). This means that MACROBID may not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.

Usual dose

Adults and Children over 12 years:
One MacroBID 100 mg capsule twice a day for 7 days. Do not take more than 2 capsules per day.

If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor will decide how long you should take MacroBID.

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much MacroBID, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take MacroBID, do not worry. If you remember later on that day, take that day’s dose as usual. If you miss a whole day’s dose take the normal dose on the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule. If you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking MacroBID. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Common side effects in people who take MacroBID include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • headache
  • flatulence (passing gas)

Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional
Only if severe		 Talk to your healthcare professional
In all cases		 Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Lung disease (May include fever, chills, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath)     ✔
Liver problems (skin and eyes appear yellowish, itchy skin, dark urine color)     ✔
Numbness or tingling     ✔

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store

Store at room temperature (20ºC-25ºC).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website http://www.allergan.ca, or by calling 1-800-668-6424.

This leaflet was prepared by Allergan Pharma Co.

Last Revised: October 17, 2018

Date modified: