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Macrodantin

Generic name: Nitrofurantoin
Other brand name: Macrobid

Macrodantin, an antibacterial drug, is prescribed for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by certain strains of bacteria. Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic which is used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. The mechanism by which nitrofurantoin kills bacteria is unknown. However it is well absorbed from the gut and reaches high concentrations in the urine where it kills the bacteria responsible for these infections.

Macrodantin Dosage

Treatment with nitrofurantoin should be continued for 1 week or for at least 3 days after obtaining a urine specimen free of infection. If your infection has not cleared up, your doctor should re-evaluate your case.

The recommended dosage of Macrodantin is 50 to 100 milligrams taken 4 times a day. For long-term treatment, your doctor may reduce your dosage to 50 to 100 milligrams taken at bedtime.

The recommended dosage of Macrobid is one 100 milligram capsule every 12 hours for 7 days.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Finish all of this medication, even if you start to feel better. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Uses of Macrodantin

• This medication is used to treat or prevent certain urinary tract infections.

Side Effects of Macrodantin

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking nitrofurantoin. Side effects may include:

• Lack or loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
• Itching (pruritus)
• Diarrhea
• Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
• Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• Pain in the joints (arthralgia)
• Damage to the lungs (pulmonary toxicity)
• Yellow or brown colouration of urine
• Rash

Warnings and precautions before taking Macrodantin:

• Fatalities have been reported from hepatitis (liver disease) during treatment with nitrofurantoin. Long-lasting, active hepatitis can develop without symptoms; therefore, if you are receiving long-term treatment with Macrodantin, your doctor should test your liver function periodically.
• If you experience diarrhea, tell your doctor. It may be a sign of serious intestinal inflammation.
• Hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) has occurred in people taking nitrofurantoin.
• Monitor lung, liver and neurological function in long term therapy, especially in the elderly.
• This medicine may interfere with urine tests for glucose, causing the test to give a "false positive" result. That is, the test may say that glucose is present in the urine even if it is not.
• This medicine should be avoided in the weeks prior to childbirth.

Drug Interaction :- If nitrofurantoin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining nitrofurantoin with the following:

• Magnesium trisilicate (Gaviscon Antacid Tablets).
• The gout drugs probenecid and sulfinpyrazone and other drugs that increase the amount of uric acid in the urine.

Overdose

An overdose of nitrofurantoin does not cause any specific symptoms other than vomiting. If vomiting does not occur soon after an excessive dose, it should be induced.

• If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.