General
Description & Use
NIFURAN® 50mg and 100mg tablets
NIFURAN
(Nitrofurantoin, Furadantin, Macrodantin)
is an antibacterial agent specific for urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections are caused by the presence of bacteria
in the urinary system. The bacteria often come from the intestines
where they are necessary for normal function. In women, the most
common infection involves the bladder and is called cystitis.
In men, the infection may involve the prostate, which is called
prostatitis. In both men and women, the bacteria may travel up
and infect the kidneys.
Do not take NIFURAN if you have an allergy to NIFURAN or any of
the ingredients listed at the end of this page, you have problems
passing urine or have significant impairment of kidney function,
you are a pregnant women undergoing labour and delivery, or if
the onset of labour is imminent or the child who is receiving
the medicine is less than one month of age.
Tell your doctor if you intend to become pregnant or to breast-feed,
you have any other medical conditions, especially a history of
lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy,
optic neuritis, anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance,
vitamin B deficiency, or other debilitating disease.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including
any non-prescription product.
When taking NIFURAN, avoid taking antacids containing magnesium
trisilicate, as these can affect the absorption of NIFURAN. Tell
your doctor if you are taking uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid
and sulphinpyrazone, as these can reduce the effectiveness of
NIFURAN and increase side effects.
How
to take NIFURAN
Take NIFURAN only when prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor
will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day. The
dose will vary depending on whether NIFURAN is being used for
the treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections. The usual
adult dose for treatment of active infections is 50-100 mg four
times daily for seven days. The usual adult dose for prevention
of infections is 50-100 mg at bedtime. Carefully follow all the
directions given to you by your doctor. They may differ from the
information contained in this leaflet. If you do not understand
how to take the medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
NIFURAN should be taken with food or milk. You should complete
the full course of therapy prescribed by your doctor.
If
you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed
and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take
it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your doses
as you would normally. If you are not sure whether to skip the
dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take a double
dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
Side
Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not
feel well while you are taking the medicine. NIFURAN helps most
people with infections of the urinary tract but it may have unwanted
side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects.
Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.
You may need medical treatment if you experience some of the side
effects.
The most common side effects reported with the use of NIFURAN
are nausea, headache, and flatulence. NIFURAN does not interfere
with the ability to drive or use machines. NIFURAN may turn your
urine a brown colour but this of no clinical significance.
Inform your doctor if you notice any of the following:
