Nitrofurantoin
- Atc Codes:J01XE01
- CAS Codes:67-20-9#17140-81-7
- PHARMGKB ID:67-20-9#17140-81-7
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Genes that may be involved
- Substrate of
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
- Dosage
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- Special Considerations
Brand Names
Europe
Austria: Furadantin, Nitrofurantoin; Belgium: Furadantine MC; Czech Republic: Nitrofurantoin; Denmark: Nitrofurantoin; Estonia: Nitrofurantoin; France: Furadantine, Furadoine, Microdoine; Germany: Furadantin, Nifurantin, Nifuretten, Nitrofurantoin, Uro-Tablinen; Greece: Furolin; Hungary: Nitrofurantoin; Ireland: Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin; Italy: Furedan, Macrodantin, Neofuradantin, Nitrofur; Latvia: Furadonīns, Uvamin; Lithuania: Furadonīns, Uvamin; Luxembourg: Furadantine, Nitrofurantoin; Malta: Furadantin, Macrodantin, Nitrofurantoin; Netherlands: Furadantine, Nitrofurantoine; Poland: Siraliden; Portugal: Furadantina; Romania: Nitrofurantoina; Spain: Furantoína; Sweden: Furadantin; UK: Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin.
North America
Canada: Furantoin, Macrobid, Macrodantin, Nitrofurantoin; USA: Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin, Nitrofurantoin.
Latin America
Argentina: Furadantina, Uratina, Urofuran; Brazil: Hantina, Macrodantina, Nitrofen, Urogem; Mexico: Biofurin, Furadantina, Furitex, Futroken, Macrodantina, Macrofurin, Nitrofurantoina, Promac, Suronit.
Drug combinations
Chemistry
Nitrofurantoin: C~8~H~6~N~4~O~5~. Mw: 238.16. (1) 2,4-Imidazolidinedione, 1-[[(5-nitro-2-furanyl)methylene]amino]-; (2) 1-[(5-Nitrofurfurylidene)amino]hydantoin. CAS-67-20-9; CAS-17140-81-7 (monohydrate).

Pharmacologic Category
Urinary Anti-infectives. (ATC-Code: J01XE01).
Mechanism of action
Inhibits several bacterial enzyme systems including acetyl coenzyme A, interfering with metabolism and possibly cell wall synthesis.
Therapeutic use
Prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections caused by susceptible strains of E. coli, S. aureus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Teratogenic effects not observed in animal studies; however, may cause hemolytic anemia in infants. Use of nitrofurantoin contraindicated at term (38-42 weeks gestation), during labor and delivery, or when onset of labor imminent. Enters breast milk; lactation not recommended (infants <1 month).
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin or any component of the formulation. Renal impairment (anuria, oliguria, significantly elevated serum creatinine, or CrCl <60 mL/minute). Infants <1 month (due to possibility of hemolytic anemia). Pregnancy at term (38-42 weeks gestation), during labor and delivery, or when onset of labor imminent.
Warnings and precautions
Rare, but severe hepatic reactions associated with use (onset may be insidious). Associated with peripheral neuropathy (rare); risk may be increased by renal impairment, diabetes, vitamin B deficiency, or electrolyte imbalance. Acute, subacute, or chronic (usually after 6 months of therapy) pulmonary reactions observed. Malaise, dyspnea, cough, fever, radiologic evidence of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis might occur. Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Use with caution in anemia, or in G6PD deficiency. Contraindicated in renal impairment (CrCl <60 mL/minute). Contraindicated in hemo- and peritoneal dialysis and continuous arteriovenous or venovenous hemofiltration.