Consumer Information for: NITROFURANTOIN

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

NITROFURANTOIN is used to treat infections that are caused by certain bacteria.

Antibacterial drugs like NITROFURANTOIN treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

What it does

NITROFURANTOIN works to:

  • Stop growth of bacteria.
  • Kill the bacteria.
  • Reduce the infection in your body.

When it should not be used
  • you are allergic (causing itching, redness of skin or difficulty breathing) to nitrofurantoin or any of the ingredients in Nitrofurantoin tablets.
  • you have kidney disease.
  • you are pregnant.

NITROFURANTOIN should not be given to infants under 1 month old.

What the medicinal ingredient is

In addition to nitrofurantoin each tablet contains non-medicinal ingredients like crosscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

What dosage form it comes in

Nitrofurantoin Tablets 50 mg and 100 mg.

Warnings and precautions

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

  • have diabetes
  • have anaemia (a decrease in red blood cells causing pale skin, weakness and breathlessness) or a lack of vitamin B (particularly folate) or abnormal levels of salts in your blood.
  • have a condition known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
  • have any disease of lungs, liver or nervous system.
  • are planning to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Driving and using machines
Nitrofurantoin Tablets may cause dizziness and drowsiness. You should not drive or use machinery if you are feeling dizzy and until such symptoms go away.

Nitrofurantoin Tablets contain lactose
This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you are intolerant to some sugars and you have to avoid them, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Interactions with this medication

Proper use of this medication
  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, NITROFURANTOIN should be used exactly as directed.
  • Misuse or overuse of NITROFURANTOIN could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by NITROFURNATOIN (resistance). This means that NITROFURANTOIN may not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.
  • NITROFURANTOIN tablets should be taken with food or milk. This will help to avoid stomach upset and also to help the absorption.

Usual Adult Dose

50 mg – 100 mg four times daily for at least 1 week or as directed.

Overdose

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

Missed Dose

If you forget to take NITROFURANTOIN tablets, take the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Side effects and what to do about them

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

Side Effects Include:

  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Short-term unusual hair loss or thinning
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Joint pain

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
Skin
Rash: red, raised skin rash; itchy rash     ✔
Allergic
Pulmonary sensitivity reactions: fever, chills, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, generally feeling unwell     ✔
Angioedema and Serious Allergic Reactions (including anaphylaxis): swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing; sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing     ✔
Asthmatic attack (in patients with history of asthma)     ✔
Neurological
Numbness or weakness of the arms and legs   ✔  
Rapid, uncontrollable movements of the eyes   ✔  
Liver
Hepatitis (a liver disease) (Rarely): nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, light coloured bowel motions, dark coloured urine     ✔
Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and/or eyes     ✔
Miscellaneous
Urinary infection by germs which are not sensitive   ✔  

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 temperature not exceeding 25ºC. Protect from light.

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 (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html); the manufacturer’s website http://www.aapharma.ca/products, or by calling 1-800-667-4708.

This leaflet was prepared by AA Pharma Inc.

Last revised: November 27, 2018

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