Nitrofurantoin for urinary tract infections guide
How to take prescribed nitrofurantoin safely. The formulation, frequency, and course length depend on the patient group and infection.
Nitrofurantoin for urinary tract infections guide
How to take prescribed nitrofurantoin safely. The formulation, frequency, and course length depend on the patient group and infection.
- READ TIME
- 2 min read
- PATHWAY
- Nitrofurantoin
This guide does not replace the package leaflet or your doctor's assessment.
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Electronic prescription
Sent to the pharmacy you choose; each pharmacy decides whether it can dispense it.
On this page
How to use
- Follow the prescription label and take with food
Swallow one 100 mg modified-release capsule whole with water and food every 12 hours for 5 days. Use only the formulation and duration on your prescription.
- Complete the full course
Finish all doses even if symptoms improve. Stopping early can leave the infection untreated.
Medicines and interactions to review. Tell the prescriber about antacids containing magnesium, quinolone antibiotics, and medicines that affect kidney function
Treatment pathway
See the full decision pathway
Protocol pathway
Confirm a localised lower UTI
Fever, chills, flank pain, vomiting, pregnancy, or systemic illness require another care pathway.
Use the selected prescription
The protocol prioritises fosfomycin 3 g once. Nitrofurantoin modified release 100 mg every 12 hours for 5 days is the alternative only when fosfomycin is unsuitable and nitrofurantoin is safe.
Review at 48 hours if not improving
Do not switch antibiotics automatically. A urine culture or in-person review may be needed.
Dose schedule
- 100 mg every 12 hours for 5 days
Take the prescribed modified-release capsule morning and evening with food. Do not substitute another formulation or course length.
- Review if symptoms persist
Contact a healthcare professional promptly if symptoms do not start improving or if they worsen.
- If you miss a dose
Take it when remembered unless the next dose is nearly due. Do not take two doses together; continue until the prescribed 5-day course is complete.
Side effects
Gastrointestinal effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. Taking with food helps. Brown urine is harmless.
Lung and nerve effects
Rare: persistent cough, breathing difficulty, chest pain, fever, or tingling in hands or feet. Stop and seek advice.
Do not use if
- You are allergic to nitrofurantoin or another nitrofuran
- You have fever, chills, flank pain, vomiting, or a suspected kidney or systemic infection
- You have significantly reduced kidney function, G6PD deficiency, porphyria, or a previous serious lung or liver reaction
- This five-day course is for women who are not pregnant and have an uncomplicated bladder infection. If you are a man, pregnant, or have reduced kidney function, your doctor will choose a different pathway; do not start this course on your own.
If any item may apply, do not use the medicine until a clinician has reviewed it.
When to contact your doctor
- Sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain, fever, chills, or persistent dry cough: stop and seek advice
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in hands or feet
- Symptoms persist or worsen during treatment
Storage
Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out of children's reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not use it after the expiry date.
What to expect
Nitrofurantoin treats susceptible lower urinary infections. Complete the exact prescribed course even if you feel better, and seek review if symptoms persist or worsen.
Sources
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