Nitrofurantoin

What is nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat or prevent infections of the urinary tract.

You may hear nitrofurantoin called by its brand name, Macrodantin or MacroBID. Nitrofurantoin comes in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms.

Before giving nitrofurantoin to your child

Tell your doctor if your child:

• is allergic to nitrofurantoin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• anemia
• kidney disease

How should you give your child nitrofurantoin?

Give your child nitrofurantoin for as long as your child's doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving nitrofurantoin for any reason.

Give your child nitrofurantoin at the same time every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.

To help avoid an upset stomach, give nitrofurantoin with some food or milk.

Tablets may be swallowed whole, or crushed or broken, and mixed with food.

If your child uses the long-acting capsule (MacroBID), it should be swallowed whole. Do not open, crush, or chew the long-acting capsule.

If your child is taking liquid nitrofurantoin, measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.

Shake the liquid nitrofurantoin well before you give your child each dose.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of nitrofurantoin?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does nitrofurantoin take to work?

It may take about two days (48 hours) before your child begins to feel better.

What are the possible side effects of nitrofurantoin?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take nitrofurantoin. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• diarrhea
• gas
• nausea or vomiting (throwing up)
• orange or brown discoloration of urine

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem.
Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• trouble swallowing or breathing
• swelling of face, mouth, hands, or feet
• hives
• blood in urine or stools
• severe watery diarrhea
• severe stomach pain

What safety measures should you take when your child is using nitrofurantoin?

Before your child has any surgery, including dental surgery or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking nitrofurantoin.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

Do not give antacids at the same time as nitrofurantoin because the nitrofurantoin may not work as well as it should. Instead, give the antacids one hour before, or two hours after, giving nitrofurantoin.

Nitrofurantoin may cause your child's urine to become a dark orange to brown color. This is normal and will go away when your child stops taking nitrofurantoin. Your child does not need to see the doctor about this.

What other important information should you know about nitrofurantoin?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Nitrofurantoin liquid must be made by a pharmacy. Make sure your pharmacy is able to make nitrofurantoin liquid for your child.
• Make sure you always have enough nitrofurantoin to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least two days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep nitrofurantoin (tablets, capsules, and liquid) at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep nitrofurantoin out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much nitrofurantoin, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.