Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Nitrofurantoin.
Anemia: Rarely, nitrofurantoin may cause low levels of red blood cells. This is more likely to happen if you have the genetic condition G-6-PD deficiency. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as nitrofurantoin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better when you first start taking nitrofurantoin, you need to take all the medication exactly as directed by your doctor to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take nitrofurantoin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.
Discolouration of urine: Nitrofurantoin may turn your urine a rust yellow or brown colour. This is a normal effect of the medication and is not a cause for concern.
Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Nitrofurantoin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Nitrofurantoin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Nitrofurantoin may affect liver function. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Nitrofurantoin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Nitrofurantoin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Lung inflammation: Rarely, some people taking this medication have experienced lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease), causing difficulty breathing. This complication can be serious and sometimes fatal. If you experience new or worsening shortness of breath or cough (with or without fever) at any time while you are taking nitrofurantoin, contact your doctor immediately.
Nerve damage: Tingling, numbness, or pain have been reported with the use of nitrofurantoin. These effects may be more likely to occur for people who have other conditions that are linked to nerve damage such as Diabetes, certain vitamin deficiencies, or fluid and electrolyte problems.
Overgrowth of organisms: The use of Nitrofurantoin may cause an overgrowth of microorganisms not killed by the medication, possibly causing yeast infections or resistant bacteria.
Pregnancy: Nitrofurantoin should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Do not use Nitrofurantoin if you are in labour or expect to go into labour soon (i.e. you are close to your due date). If you become pregnant while taking Nitrofurantoin, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Nitrofurantoin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking nitrofurantoin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than one month of age.
