Furadantin

Furadantin is an antibiotic mostly used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. It works by preventing the growth of bacteria or killing them.

This medication will not work for viral infections like flu or cold.

This product is available in three dosage forms:

• Suspension
• Tablet
• Capsule

This drug is only available through a doctor’s prescription.

Before using Furadantin, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Every medicine has potential side effects. So, the benefits of a drug should always be weighed against its associated risks.

Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

• Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.
• Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group shows that there is no specific risk of nitrofurantoin for children. However, the safety and efficacy of nitrofurantoin are not established in infants less than 1 month of age. The studies and clinical trials performed in old age group show no specific side effect of nitrofurantoin in the geriatric population. However, it should be used cautiously in old patients with heart, lung, liver and kidney disease.
• Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of its use in pregnant females, nitrofurantoin comes under “B” category, which means that clinical trial show no adverse effect on the developing fetus or there are not enough studies done in pregnant women.
• Breastfeeding: Studies show no harmful effect of nitrofurantoin to the infant when used by nursing mothers.
• Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together. So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

Nitrofurantoin should be used cautiously with following drugs:

• Fluconazole
• Dasabuvir
• Magnesium trisilicate

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions.

Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Anemia
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Diarrhea
• Liver disease
• Its use may cause hemolytic anemia in patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (an enzyme problem in red blood cells)
• Kidney disease may lead to toxicity because of slower removal of the drug from the body
• Liver disease
• Urinary problems

To use Furadantin correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

In order to decrease the risk of stomach upset and help your body in the proper absorption of the drug, it should be taken with food or milk.

The oral liquid should be shaken well before every dose to make sure that the drug is mixed homogenously.

You should use a specifically marked measuring spoon to measure every dose properly because the typical household spoon may give an inaccurate dose.

If you are using the capsule form of the drug, make sure the swallow the capsule as a whole. Avoid opening, chewing or crushing the capsule.

To avoid adverse effects, this drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time.

Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide. This medicine should be taken with food in order to enhance its absorption in the gut.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person.

The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider.

Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also, read the label carefully.

In case you miss one dose of this drug, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your subsequent dose, you can then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage: This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light, and moisture.

Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

Before using Furadantin, there are some precautions you must take.

Diabetic patients who use regular urine sugar test should be cautious while using this drug because it may cause fake results.

Ask your doctor before changing the dose of hypoglycemic or changing the diet. Nitrofurantoin may cause liver problems.

Stop the drug and ask your doctor immediately if you experience one of the following symptoms: Abdominal pain or tenderness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, itching, skin rash, swelling of the lower limb, fatigue, and yellow eyes. 

Nitrofurantoin can also cause peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms include tingling, numbness or burning pain in your hands, legs, and feet. Tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Nitrofurantoin can also cause loose motions in a set of patients and it may be severe in some cases. Do not treat diarrhea on your own without asking your doctor first.

Nitrofurantoin can also make the urine rust-yellow to brown color. This side effect is not dangerous and may not require medical attention.

Regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. It is important to allow your doctor to monitor your progress and to make sure that there aren’t any side effects from the medication.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Furadantin. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• chest pain
• fever, chills, cough
• changes in facial skin color
• the general feeling of discomfort or illness
• itches, hives
• itching
• shortness of breath
• joint or muscle pain
• skin rash
• swelling of the face, mouth, hands, or feet
• sudden trouble in swallowing or breathing
• troubled breathing
• black, tarry stools
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• blood in the urine or stools
• dizziness and drowsiness
• headache
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• sore throat
• fatigue
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this medication. Also, contact your healthcare professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug.