Nitrofurantoin tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

NITROFURANTOIN (nye troe fyoor AN toyn) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat urinary tract infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• chest pain

• cough

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness, drowsiness

• fever or infection

• joint aches or pains

• pale or blue-tinted skin

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• tingling, burning, pain, or numbness in hands or feet

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

• yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dark urine

• diarrhea

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea or vomiting

• temporary hair loss

What may interact with this medicine?

• antacids containing magnesium trisilicate

• probenecid

• quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin

• sulfinpyrazone

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia

• diabetes

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease

• other chronic illness

• an unusual or allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin, other antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if you get new symptoms. Drink several glasses of water a day. If you are taking this medicine for a long time, visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress.

If you are diabetic, you may get a false positive result for sugar in your urine with certain brands of urine tests. Check with your doctor.