This medication is an antibiotic used to treat bladder infections (acute cystitis). It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

1. Thismedicationisanantibioticusedtotreatbladderinfections(acute cystitis).Itworksbystopping
the growthof bacteria.
Thisantibiotictreatsonlybacterial infections.Itwill notworkforviral infections(e.g.,commoncold,
flu).Unnecessary use oroveruse of anyantibioticcanleadtoits decreasedeffectiveness.
Thismedicationshouldnotbe usedininfantsyoungerthan1 monthold (see alsoPrecautions
section).Thisdrugshouldnotbe usedto treatinfectionsoutside the bladder(e.g.,kidneyinfections
such as pyelonephritisorperinephricabscesses).
How to use Macrobid
Take this medicationbymouthwithfood,usuallytwice dailyinthe morningandeveningoras
directedbyyourdoctor. Swallowthe medicationwhole forbestresults.
Do not use magnesiumtrisilicate-containingantacidswhile takingthismedication.These antacids
can bindwithnitrofurantoin,preventingitsfull absorptionintoyoursystem.
Antibioticsworkbestwhenthe amountof medicine inyourbodyiskeptata constantlevel.
Therefore,take thisdrugatevenlyspacedintervals.
Continue totake thismedicationuntil the full prescribedamountisfinished,evenif symptoms
disappearaftera fewdays.Stoppingthe medicationtooearlymayallow bacteriatocontinue to
grow,whichmay resultina returnof the infection.
Informyourdoctor if your conditionpersistsorworsens.
Side Effects
Nausea,headache mayoccur.If anyof these effectspersistorworsen,notifyyourdoctoror
pharmacistpromptly.

2. Rememberthatyourdoctor hasprescribedthismedicationbecause he orshe hasjudgedthatthe
benefittoyouisgreaterthan the riskof side effects.Manypeople usingthismedicationdonothave
seriousside effects.
Thismedicationmaycause yoururine to turn dark yellow orbrownincolor.This isusuallya
harmless,temporaryeffectandwill disappearwhenthe medicationisstopped.However,dark
brownurine can alsobe a signof rare side effects(liverproblemsoranemia).Therefore,seek
immediate medical attentionif younotice darkurine alongwithanyof the followingsymptoms:
persistentnausea/vomiting,stomach/abdominal pain,yellowingeyes/skin,tiredness,fast/pounding
heartbeat.
Tell yourdoctor rightaway if anyof these rare but veryseriousside effectsoccur:eye pain,vision
changes,mental/moodchanges,persistent/severeheadaches,new signsof infection(e.g.,fever,
persistentsore throat),easybruising/bleeding.
Seekimmediate medical attentionif youdevelopthe followingrare butvery seriousside effects:
numbness/tinglingof the hands/feet,unusual muscle weakness.
Thismedicationmayrarelycause veryserious(possiblyfatal) lungproblems.Lungproblemsmay
occur withinthe firstmonthof treatmentorafter long-termuse of nitrofurantoin(generallyfor6
monthsor longer).Getmedical helprightawayif youdevelopsymptomsof lungproblems,
including:persistentcough,chestpain,shortnessof breath/trouble breathing,joint/muscle pain,
bluish/purplishskin.
Thismedicationmayrarelycause a severe intestinalcondition(Clostridiumdifficile-associated
diarrhea) due toa resistantbacteria.Thisconditionmayoccurduringtreatmentor evenweeksto
monthsaftertreatmenthasstopped.Donot use anti-diarrheaproductsornarcoticpainmedications
if you have the followingsymptomsbecause these productsmaymake themworse.Tell yourdoctor
rightaway if youdevelop:persistentdiarrhea,abdominal orstomachpain/cramping,blood/mucus
inyour stool.
Use of nitrofurantoinforprolongedorrepeatedperiodsmayresultinoral thrushor a new vaginal
yeastinfection.Contactyourdoctorif younotice white patchesinyourmouth,a change invaginal
discharge,orothernewsymptoms.

3. A veryseriousallergicreactiontothisdrug is rare.However,getmedical helprightawayif you
notice anysymptomsof a seriousallergicreaction,including:rash,itching/swelling(especiallyof the
face/tongue/throat),severe dizziness,trouble breathing.
Thisis nota complete listof possible side effects.If younotice othereffectsnotlistedabove,contact
your doctoror pharmacist.
Precautions
Before takingnitrofurantoin,tell yourdoctororpharmacistif you are allergictoit;or if you have any
otherallergies.Thisproductmaycontaininactive ingredients,whichcancause allergicreactionsor
otherproblems.Talktoyour pharmacistformore details.
Thismedicationshouldnotbe usedif youhave certainmedical conditions.Before usingthis
medicine,consultyourdoctoror pharmacistif youhave:kidneydisease(e.g.,little ornourine
output),acertaingeneticcondition(G-6-PDdeficiency),ahistoryof liverproblemsdue to
nitrofurantoinuse inthe past.
Before usingthismedication,tellyourdoctoror pharmacistyourmedical history,especiallyof:liver
disease,lungdisease,numbness/tinglingof the arms/legs,vitaminBdeficiency,mineral imbalance,
blooddisorders(e.g.,anemia),diabetes,persistentweaknessdue tolong-termdisease,certaineye
disorders(e.g.,opticneuritis).
Kidneyfunctiondeclinesasyougrowolder.Thismedicationisremovedbythe kidneys.Therefore,
olderadultsmaybe at a greaterriskfor side effectswhile usingthisdrug,especiallynerve,liveror
lungproblems(see SideEffectssection).
Duringpregnancy,thismedicationshouldbe usedonlywhenclearlyneeded.Itmustnotbe usedif
youare near the endof your pregnancy(38-42 weeks),oratthe time of labor anddelivery.Doingso
may cause a certainblooddisorder(hemolyticanemia) in yourbaby.Discussthe risksandbenefits
withyourdoctor.

4. Thismedicationpassesintobreastmilkandmayhave undesirable effectsonnursinginfantsyounger
than 1 month oldor those witha certaingeneticcondition(G-6-PDdeficiency).Consultyourdoctor
before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Your healthcare professionals(e.g.,doctororpharmacist) mayalreadybe aware of anypossible drug
interactionsandmaybe monitoringyouforit.Do not start, stop,or change the dosage of any
medicine before checkingwiththemfirst.
Before usingthismedication,tellyourdoctoror pharmacistof all prescriptionand
nonprescription/herbalproductsyoumayuse,especially:certaindrugstotreat gout(uricosuric
drugssuch as sulfinpyrazone).
Althoughmostantibioticsare unlikelytoaffecthormonal birthcontrol suchaspills,patch,orring,a
fewantibiotics(suchasrifampin,rifabutin) candecrease theireffectiveness.Thiscouldresultin
pregnancy.If youuse hormonal birthcontrol,askyour doctor or pharmacistformore details.
Thismedicationmayinterferewithcertainlaboratorytests(certainurine glucose tests),possibly
causingfalse testresults.Make sure laboratorypersonnel andall yourdoctorsknow youuse this
drug.
Thisdocumentdoesnotcontainall possible interactions.Therefore,beforeusingthisproduct,tell
your doctoror pharmacistof all the productsyou use.Keepalistof all your medicationswithyou,
and share the listwithyourdoctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share thismedicationwithothers.
Thismedicationhasbeenprescribedforyourcurrentconditiononly.Donotuse it laterforanother
infectionunlesstoldtodoso byyour doctor.A differentmedicationmaybe necessaryinthose
cases.

5. Laboratory and/ormedical tests(e.g.,kidney/liverfunction,bloodcounts/CBC,bacterial culture)
shouldbe performedperiodicallytomonitoryourprogressorcheck forside effects.Lungfunction
testsshouldbe performedif youare prescribednitrofurantoinproductsforextendedtreatment
(several monthsormore).Consultyourdoctorformore details.
MissedDose
If you missa dose,take itas soonas youremember.If itisnear the time of the nextdose,skipthe
misseddose andresume yourusual dosingschedule.Donotdouble the dose tocatch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature between59-86 degreesF(15-30 degreesC) awayfromlightand
moisture.Donotstore inthe bathroom.Keepall medicinesawayfromchildrenandpets.
Do not flushmedicationsdownthe toiletorpourthemintoa drain unlessinstructedtodoso.
Properlydiscardthisproductwhenitisexpiredornolongerneeded.Consultyourpharmacistor
local waste disposal companyformore detailsabouthow tosafelydiscardyourproduct.
For more informationvisitusourwebsite:mymedistore.com