They cannot properly eliminate the drug from their bodies, and dangerous side effects could result.ĭrugs that contain magnesium such as magnesium salicylate ( Magan®) and choline-magnesium salicylate ( Arthropan®) as well as antacids like Maalox®, Mylanta®, Milk of Magnesia®, Gelusil®, and others may decrease the amount of nitrofurantoin that gets absorbed into the body. Nitrofurantoin should not be used by infants younger than 1 month of age. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby. Do not take nitrofurantoin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.Īdditionally, this medication passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. However, nitrofurantoin should not be taken by pregnant women who are at term (38-42 weeks gestation), during labor and delivery, or when the onset of labor is imminent. This means that it not likely to harm an unborn baby. Nitrofurantoin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. You may not be able to take nitrofurantoin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment, if you have any of the conditions listed above. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, any type of debilitating disease, or vitamin B deficiency. What special precautions should I follow? Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Take all of the nitrofurantoin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. They are specially formulated to slowly release the medication into the body. Ensure that the whole mixture is consumed immediately after mixing.ĭo not crush, chew, or break the sustained release forms of nitrofurantoin. The suspension can be mixed with water, milk, fruit juice, or infant formula to ease administration.

If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring spoon or dropper, not with a regular table spoon. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. Take each dose with a full glass of water, milk or with food to decrease stomach upset and to increase the absorption of the drug into the body.

If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take nitrofurantoin exactly as directed by your doctor. Nitrofurantoin comes in a capsule and liquid form to be taken orally, and is usually taken two or four times a day for at least 7 days.

Side effects for nitrofurantoin