Nitrofurantoin 100mg 6 prolonged-release capsules

How to take Nitrofurantoin for Cystitis? 

You should always follow your doctors’ instructions when taking this medicine. 

To treat a UTI like cystitis, take ONE capsule twice daily for 3 days.  

This medicine should be taken with food or a glass of milk. 

What should I do if I forget a dose? 

If you forget to take a dose of Nitrofurantoin, you should take it as soon as you remember, however, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, we suggest skipping the missed dose and then take your next one as normal, then space out the remaining doses for that day.  

You must never double up a dose if you have missed one. 

How long does Nitrofurantoin take to work on a UTI? 

These capsules should start to work in as little as 24 hours, normally a 3-day course of these antibiotics will completely treat your UTI.  

If your side effects subside before your course has ended, it is important that you do not stop the course of treatment and continue for the full 3 days. 
 
In the unlikely instance that your symptoms are still there after you finish the course of treatment, get in touch and our doctor will suggest next steps. 

What are the side effects of Nitrofurantoin Mercury Pharma? 

With most medicines, it is not uncommon to experience side effects from them, although not everybody will get them. Taking the medicine as directed by your doctor will help prevent the risk of experiencing them.  

Possible side effects: 

• Your urine may become coloured dark yellow or brown. This is normal so do not stop taking this medicine. 

• If you notice any of the following side effects consult your doctor immediately: 

• Taking Nitrofurantoin may cause problems in your lungs, like pneumonia-like symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath, which could show up within a week. 

• Nitrofurantoin can also affect your liver, causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), and reduce your blood cell count, making you feel weak, bruised, or more susceptible to infections. 

• Some people may experience skin turning blue or purple due to low oxygen levels, a condition known as cyanosis. 

• Watch out for signs like fever, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in stool, and weakness, as they could be signs of a condition called cutaneous vasculitis. 

• If you notice fatigue, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, or swelling, it could be a sign of hepatitis. In rare cases, Nitrofurantoin might lead to liver failure, which can be fatal. 

Other side effects:  

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people 

• Loss of consciousness (collapse) 

• Damage to bone marrow causing deficiency of the red blood cells (Anaemia). 

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• Feeling nauseous and having a headache 

• Having loose stools 

• Losing appetite, stomach pain, and vomiting 

• Experiencing diarrhoea 

• Feeling dizzy or drowsy 

• Some patients may have affected blood cells, leading to bruising, delayed blood clotting, sore throat, fever, anaemia, and increased susceptibility to colds. 

• Nerves outside the spinal cord may be impacted, causing changes in feeling and muscle use. This could result in severe and possibly permanent effects like headaches, extreme mood changes, confusion, weakness, and blurred vision. 

• Some patients may develop various skin issues, such as flaking skin, red rashes, fever with a rapid heart rate, severe blistering rash, inflammation of salivary glands (causing facial pains), inflammation of the pancreas gland (causing severe abdominal pain), and joint pains. 

• Experiencing short-term hair loss 

• Experiencing raised pressure in the skull, leading to severe headaches 

• Contracting urinary infections from germs that Nitrofurantoin is not effective against 

• Experiencing inflammation of small blood vessel walls, resulting in skin lesions 

• Developing liver inflammation due to the immune system attacking liver cells 

• Experiencing inflammation of kidney tissue surrounding tubules, leading to renal impairment 

How long do Nitrofurantoin side effects last? 

Side effects of Nitrofurantoin are normally mild and they should go away after you have finished your 3 day treatment.