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Therapeutic action
- Antibacterial (group of nitrofuranes)
Indications
- Uncomplicated cystitis, without fever or lower back pain, when no other antibiotic can be used
Forms and strengths
- 100 mg tablet
Dosage and duration
- Adult: 100 mg 3 times daily for 5 to 7 days
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with renal impairment, G6PD deficiency or allergy to nitrofurantoin.
- May cause:
- nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, brownish urine;
- haemolytic anaemia in patients with G6PD deficiency, pulmonary and hepatic disorders, allergic reactions.
- Do not administer simultaneously with antacids (aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, etc.). Administer doses at least 2 hours apart.
- Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED during the last month of pregnancy (risk of haemolysis in the newborn)
- Breast-feeding: avoid during the first month
Remarks
- Take during meals.
- Do not use nitrofurantoin to prevent cystitis.
- Also comes in modified release capsules to be administered 2 times daily.