Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin 100mg Modified-Release Capsules (also sold under the brand name MacroBID) contains the antibiotic nitrofurantoin which works well to eliminate the bacteria that causes infection in the urinary tract. If you’re experiencing cystitis, a three-day course of nitrofurantoin 100mg tablets can be an effective way to clear it up.

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used to treat cystitis. Cystitis is a common infection of the urinary tract or bladder which causes inflammation of the bladder. It’s more common in women than in men but can affect anyone.

Symptoms of a cystitis infection include pain, burning or stinging when you pee, needing to go to the toilet more often and urgently than usual, urine that's dark, cloudy or strong smelling and pain low down in your abdomen.

Nitrofurantoin (also sold under the brand name MacroBID) is an antibiotic. It works by killing the bacteria within the urinary tract or bladder that’s causing the infection.

Nitrofurantoin doesn’t stay in your system for very long (about 4-5 hours) as it’s quickly excreted in your urine . This is what makes it such an effective antibiotic for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs). When taken by mouth (orally), most of the medicine gets filtered out of your blood and into your kidneys and bladder. This sends the medicine directly to where the bacteria are causing the infection in the urinary tract.

Your symptoms should improve within two days of starting treatment.

Nitrofurantoin comes in a slow-release capsule which you take twice a day for three days. Always take this antibiotic with food or a glass of milk. This helps to ensure that your body absorbs all of the medicine.

For more information, please read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with Nitrofurantoin.

To clear most cystitis infections we prescribe Nitrofurantoin modified release capsules, one to be taken twice a day for 3 days. Each capsule contains 100 mg of nitrofurantoin.

Nitrofurantoin is a very effective antibiotic for treating infections in the urinary tract. Most cystitis infections will clear up after three days of treatment. If your infection hasn’t cleared up after this time, the pain has increased or spread, or you experience new pain around your back or side this could indicate a kidney infection. If you’re also experiencing fever, confusion, feeling sick or vomiting, nitrofurantoin may not be suitable for you and you should contact your GP or call NHS 111.

Side effects are unusual with Nitrofurantoin. It’s possible that you might feel sick or dizzy when taking this medicine. If this happens, please do not operate heavy machinery or drive. Make sure you’re taking the tablets with food or a glass of milk to limit the chances of stomach irritation and help with absorption of the medication.

In some cases taking Nitrofurantoin may turn your pee dark yellow or brown. This is normal and your pee will return to its usual colour after you finish taking the medicine.

If you develop an allergic rash, stop taking Nitrofurantoin. If you develop a more serious allergic reaction, including wheezing, chest tightness or swelling of your tongue or face, please seek immediate medical help.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine for full details of side effects and how to take Nitrofurantoin.

If you experience bothersome side effects or are worried about anything, please message us through your online patient account.

If you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Nitrofurantoin. Please contact your healthcare advisor or doctor for alternative solutions.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen while taking Nitrofurantoin to ease the discomfort of your symptoms. Although you can drink alcohol while taking Nitrofurantoin, you’re advised not to drink excessively and to limit fizzy drinks since these can irritate your bladder, making your symptoms worse.

Although we don’t offer any alternative prescription medicines to treat cystitis, there are other non-prescription treatments you can buy from a pharmacy to help clear the infection.

For more advice on alternative ways to treat cystitis, please visit the Boots Health Hub.

Most cystitis infections will clear up on their own within five days but we advise you to get treated after two days if your symptoms are unpleasant or worsen . If you’re experiencing lower back pain, fever and vomiting the infection may have spread to your kidneys. In this case, it’s important to see your doctor for help.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lessen the discomfort and drink plenty of water or clear fluids, aim for 8 glasses a day or more. Make sure that you avoid having sex and try to go to the toilet frequently to flush out the infection.

You need a prescription to buy the antibiotic nitrofurantoin. You can buy Nitrofurantoin slow-release capsules for cystitis online at Boots Online Doctor quickly and easily. With our convenient and confidential service, you don’t need to wait for an appointment or talk to anyone directly. Fill out our simple online questionnaire and one of our expert clinical team will prescribe Nitrofurantoin if it’s the right treatment for you.

Cystitis is caused by bacteria getting into the tube you pee out of (urethra) and infecting your bladder.

If you have frequent episodes of cystitis you should see your GP for further investigations to exclude other conditions. There are a number of ways you can reduce your risk:

• Urinate after sexual intercourse
• Wipe from front to back
• Keep well hydrated
• Avoid using scented products around your vagina
• Go to toilet when you need to go, avoid holding in your urine

For more information on cystitis and how to treat and prevent it, visit Boots Health Hub.

Side effects of taking Nitrofurantoin should wear off within a couple of days. If you continue to experience any side effects after finishing treatment then let us know or go to see your regular healthcare provider.

If you’re experiencing side effects such as nausea while taking nitrofurantoin you may want to avoid rich and spicy foods which could further upset the stomach.