Fast And Effective Relief From Urinary Tract Infections
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Nitrofurantoin 100mg - Available Online
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that’s commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) like cystitis. These infections can be painful, inconvenient and even a little embarrassing. If you have an infection, you may feel pain or discomfort in your tummy, have an urgent need to pee, need to pee more frequently and feel a burning sensation when you do go to the toilet.
The active ingredient in the capsules is an antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin. It targets and eliminates the harmful bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, helping to ease your symptoms and clear your infection. Nitrofurantoin normally takes around three to seven days to completely get rid of a UTI, but you may begin to feel better within just a few days of starting treatment.
As well as treating UTIs, Nitrofurantoin can also be used to prevent reoccurring infections. If you get UTIs on a regular basis (more than twice in six months or three times in a year) make sure you tell a member of our team during your consultation so that they can find the best treatment for you.
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Nitrofurantoin 100mg MR Capsules Summary
About Nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin is a type of antibiotic. It’s most commonly used to treat and prevent UTIs like cystitis. It is also used to treat bladder infections. Nitrofurantoin typically clears a bladder or urinary tract infection in around three to seven days.
Each capsule of Nitrofurantoin contains 100mg of the active ingredient. The dose of Nitrofurantoin that you’re prescribed will depend on your symptoms and your overall health. It’s important that you always follow your doctor’s dosage instructions.
How Does Nitrofurantoin Work?
Nitrofurantoin works by entering the cells of the bacteria and damaging their genetic material. This kills the bacteria and eventually clears the infection.
When you take Nitrofurantoin, your body filters the antibiotic out of your blood and into your pee. This concentrates the medication exactly where it’s needed most, allowing it to fight infections fast.
This filtration process makes Nitrofurantoin particularly effective at fighting UTIs and bladder infections. However, it also means that the medication isn’t very good at treating other types of infection.
How To Take Nitrofurantoin
The dose of Nitrofurantoin that you’re prescribed will depend on your symptoms and your overall health. It’s important that you always take the medication exactly as prescribed by a member of our clinical team.
Swallow your dose of Nitrofurantoin with a glass of water. Don’t chew or break the capsules. Try to take Nitrofurantoin with food or after a meal. This will help your body to absorb the medicine and work to prevent an upset stomach.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in the medication is Nitrofurantoin. Each capsule contains 100mg of Nitrofurantoin.
The other ingredients contained in the medication are talc, maize starch and lactose monohydrate. The capsule shell contains gelatin, sodium lauryl sulphate, quinoline yellow (E104) and titanium dioxide (E171). The printing ink contains shellac and black iron oxide (E172).
Side Effects
Like all medications, Nitrofurantoin may cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of Nitrofurantoin are nausea (feeling sick), diarrhoea, loss of appetite, headaches, dizziness and feeling tired. Nitrofurantoin may also cause your pee to turn brown or dark yellow. Don’t worry, this is normal and isn’t a reason to stop taking the medication.
In rare cases, Nitrofurantoin could cause some more serious side effects. If you develop a cough, begin coughing up blood or mucus, experience shortness of breath or feel pain when you breathe, it’s important to speak to a doctor straight away. You should also seek medical advice if you experience severe headaches, bruising or bleeding that you cannot explain, or notice that your skin turns yellow.
Warnings
Please ensure that you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before taking Nitrofurantoin.
Nitrofurantoin is not suitable for everyone, and some people with certain medical conditions cannot take it. Checks for suitability are carried out in the online consultation, which is part of the ordering process.
DO NOT take nitrofurantoin 100mg tablets unless discussed with your regular doctor beforehand if the following apply:
- You are allergic to nitrofurantoin.
- You have kidney, liver or lung disease or a condition affecting the nervous system.
- You have porphyria.
- You have diabetes.
- You have anaemia, a vitamin B deficiency, or abnormal levels of salts in your blood.
- You lack an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
- You are currently taking or have recently stopped taking any prescribed or non-prescribed medication or have recently had a Typhoid vaccination.
Nitrofurantoin and Pregnancy
Speak to a doctor before taking Nitrofurantoin if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding and think you have a UTI.
Nitrofurantoin and Alcohol
Nitrofurantoin and alcohol do not interact, so moderate alcohol consumption will not affect how this medicine works. It is, however, not advisable to drink alcohol while suffering from a UTI, as this can irritate the bladder. Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas may help clear the infection more quickly.
Can You Take Painkillers Whilst Being Treated with Nitrofurantoin?
You can take Nitrofurantoin safely with any over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol. Nitrofurantoin will not interact with traditional pain medication.
Nitrofurantoin 100mg MR Capsules reviews
Is A 3-Day Course Of Nitrofurantoin Enough?
Often, a three-day course of Nitrofurantoin will be enough to clear your bladder infection or UTI. If you’re still experiencing symptoms after three days, you’ll need to get in touch with a member of our clinical team. They may prescribe a longer course of Nitrofurantoin or recommend alternative treatment options.
If you’re taking Nitrofurantoin to prevent recurrent infections, you may need to take the medication for longer. Your doctor may prescribe a course of around six months as long as they are sure that the benefits of taking the medication clearly outweigh any risks.
Always stick to your advised dose and take the full course of Nitrofurantoin prescribed by your doctor.
When Will I Start To Feel Better?
Nitrofurantoin works fast to clear bladder infections and UTIs, and you may begin to feel better within just a few days of starting treatment. If your symptoms haven’t improved at all after three days of taking Nitrofurantoin as directed, get in touch with a member of our clinical team to discuss alternative treatment options.
Will Nitrofurantoin Give Me Thrush?
It’s possible that you may develop thrush after taking a course of Nitrofurantoin. Thrush is a fungal infection that could make you feel itchy in your genital area and cause a thick, white vaginal discharge. Nitrofurantoin could make you more prone to the infection because the antibiotic kills the normal harmless bacteria that help to protect you against thrush.
The best way to reduce your risk of developing thrush after taking Nitrofurantoin is to wear breathable underwear, change out of wet clothes (like swimming costumes) as soon as possible, and focus on maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your body.
Will Nitrofurantoin Affect My Contraception?
Nitrofurantoin doesn’t affect most forms of birth control, including the pill, patch or ring. Though some antibiotics can interfere with hormonal birth control methods, like the pill, Nitrofurantoin isn’t one of them.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Nitrofurantoin?
It’s generally not recommended to drink alcohol when taking Nitrofurantoin. Alcohol could irritate your bladder, potentially making your infection worse. If you drink a lot of alcohol when taking Nitrofurantoin, it could make it less effective and mean it takes longer for your infection to clear.
Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Help Urinary Tract Infections?
Cranberry juice is often used as a home remedy for UTIs. It’s thought that cranberry juice may help to prevent bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract lining, potentially reducing the risk of infection.
However cranberry juice isn’t a proven cure and may not work for everyone. It’s not a substitute for antibiotics and it’s important you speak to a member of our team if you think you have a bladder infection or UTI.
What If My UTI Doesn’t Get Better?
If your UTI doesn’t improve after a course of Nitrofurantoin, it’s essential that you speak to a member of our clinical team. Untreated UTIs can lead to serious complications like kidney infections or even sepsis.
If you experience UTIs on a regular basis (more than twice in six months or three times in a year), you may need to take Nitrofurantoin to prevent infection. Speak to a member of our clinical team to find out more.
Can I Take Nitrofurantoin While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?
You may be able to take Nitrofurantoin during pregnancy, though it’s best to avoid it during the third trimester (the final three months) as there’s a very small chance it could cause problems with your baby’s red blood cells.
As long as your doctor or health visitor says that your baby is healthy, you should be able to take Nitrofurantoin while breastfeeding. The antibiotic does pass into breastmilk in small amounts, but is very unlikely to cause side effects in your baby.
Does Nitrofurantoin Interact With Any Other Medicines?
Nitrofurantoin may react with some other medications. It’s essential that you tell your doctor if you’re taking indigestion remedies (antacids), cystitis remedies or antibiotics known as quinolones (including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin).
Nitrofurantoin can also interact with the oral typhoid vaccine, making it less effective.
How Can I Buy Nitrofurantoin Online?
As Nitrofurantoin is only available on prescription in the UK, you’ll need to book an online consultation with a member of our clinical team before you can access the medication. Consultations are quick, easy and discreet, and give our team the opportunity to learn about your symptoms, health and lifestyle to find the treatment option that’s right for you.
As a trusted online pharmacy, our 100% UK-based team is always available to offer help and advice, giving you the support and confidence you need to take charge of your health journey.
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Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.
Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.