Nitrofurantoin

Your GP or one of our clinicians can give you specific advice depending on any pre-existing health conditions you may have.

However, you shouldn’t take nitrofurantoin tablets if:

• you’re allergic to nitrofurantoin, other nitrofurans or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• you have a disease of the kidneys which is severely affecting the way they work (ask your doctor if you’re not sure)
• you’re in the final stages of pregnancy (labour or delivery) as there’s a risk it might affect the baby
• you suffer from a blood disorder called porphyria
• you’re deficient in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
• you’re breastfeeding a baby with suspected or known deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase).

Nitrofurantoin tablets are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, you should avoid taking them in the third trimester as they could affect your baby. If you’re pregnant and think you have cystitis please consult your doctor. If you're breastfeeding, please consult your doctor because they'll need to assess whether this medicine is right for you.

While alcohol doesn't directly interact with nitrofurantoin tablets, it's best to avoid drinking during your treatment. Alcohol can dehydrate you and may reduce your body's ability to fight the infection effectively.

We prescribe nitrofurantoin capsules in a strength of 100mg prolonged release dose. You take 1 nitrofurantoin capsule, twice a day for 3 days. These capsules are prolonged release (slow release), which means the medicine is released gradually rather than all at once.

By helping to maintain a steady level of the antibiotic in your system, this:

• reduces stomach upset and other digestive side effects
• allows for just 2 doses per day instead of 4
• provides more consistent antibacterial action

Nitrofurantoin tablets aren’t available over the counter at a pharmacy. So, they must be prescribed by a doctor or one of our clinicians.

With us, you complete a simple, confidential consultation to make sure the medication is right for you. Once approved, you can pay for your prescription online and pick it up from any Well Pharmacy.

As with any medication, nitrofurantoin tablets may cause some side effects. These are uncommon and, if you do experience them, they’re usually mild. For example, your urine may turn yellow or brown. They’re also likely to cease when you stop taking the treatment.

Some people can have allergic reactions, although it’s rare these are serious.

However, if you notice any of the symptoms below, please stop taking the medication straight away and go to a doctor or hospital immediately.

• Sudden wheezing, or difficulty in breathing.
• Swelling of the eyelids, face or lips.
• Rash or itching (especially if these affect your whole body). 

If you experience fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, skin rashes, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, and pale or grey-coloured stools, it may be symptoms of liver disorder.

There can be interactions between any medicines and nitrofurantoin tablets are no exception. So, to make sure our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.

Nitrofurantoin has been recognised as the first-choice antibiotic treatment for all UTIs by Public Health England. However, if for any reason nitrofurantoin tablets aren’t suitable for you, our clinicians may prescribe Trimethoprim as an alternative.

To help manage symptoms such as burning and urgency, you can also buy cystitis relief sachets over-the-counter at any Well Pharmacy. Pain relief tablets such as paracetamol and ibuprofen might also alleviate some discomfort.