Nitrofurantoin

Generic name: nitrofurantoin [ NYE-troe-fue-RAN-toin ]
Brand names: Macrobid, Macrodantin, Nitro Macro
Drug class:Urinary anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

What is nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections.

Nitrofurantoin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take nitrofurantoin if you have severe kidney disease, urination problems, or a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by nitrofurantoin.

Do not take this medicine if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take nitrofurantoin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease;

• a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by taking nitrofurantoin;

• if you are urinating less than usual or not at all; or

• if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Do not take nitrofurantoin if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

To make sure nitrofurantoin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;

• anemia;

• diabetes;

• an electrolyte imbalance or vitamin B deficiency;

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

• any type of debilitating disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby during early pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Nitrofurantoin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine...