Macrobid Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Macrobid Capsule contains nitrofurantoin, a urinary anti-infective medicine used to treat bacterial urinary tract infections such as acute cystitis. It works directly in the urine to stop bacteria from growing and can kill them. Macrobid should be taken with food exactly as prescribed, and the full course should be completed even if symptoms improve early.

What is Macrobid Capsule

Macrobid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. It is used to treat bladder infections (urinary tract infections).

Macrobid Capsule uses

• Treats bacterial urinary tract infections (acute cystitis)
• Treats infections caused by E. coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Benefits of Macrobid Capsule

• Clears bacterial bladder infections when taken as prescribed
• Works directly in the urine to kill or stop the growth of bacteria

How Macrobid Capsule works

Nitrofurantoin is broken down by bacteria into active substances that damage important bacterial proteins and block the bacteria's ability to make proteins, DNA, RNA, and cell walls. This stops the bacteria from growing and can kill them, especially in urine.

Macrobid Capsule dosage

Take with food, ideally with breakfast and dinner, to improve how well the medicine is absorbed and to reduce stomach upset. Swallow the capsule whole. Take doses at evenly spaced times, usually every 12 hours, and try to take it at the same times each day. Finish the entire prescribed course even if you start feeling better after a few days. Do not use antacids containing magnesium trisilicate while taking this medicine, since they can reduce how well the medicine is absorbed. This medicine will not work for viral infections like a cold or flu. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking this medicine, since it can affect certain urine glucose test results.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule

Side effects of Macrobid Capsule

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Gas
• Upset stomach (nausea)
• Mild diarrhea
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Urine discoloration
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Fever
• General weakness

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, or hacking cough
• New or worsening cough, trouble breathing
• Fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, unexplained weight loss
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
• Liver problems, including nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Lupus-like syndrome with joint pain or swelling, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color
• Signs of severe skin reactions

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine has caused lung problems, including sudden reactions and long-term lung scarring, which have sometimes contributed to death. 
• Long-term use, especially for six months or more, increases this risk.
• This medicine can cause nerve damage in the hands or feet that may become severe or permanent, especially in people with kidney problems, anemia, diabetes, vitamin B deficiency, or other serious illnesses.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea from an overgrowth of a bacteria called C. difficile, which can range from mild to a severe, life-threatening bowel condition. This can happen even up to two months after finishing the medicine.
• People with a certain inherited blood enzyme deficiency (G6PD deficiency) can develop a serious type of anemia from this medicine caused by red blood cells breaking down.
• This medicine should not be used in babies younger than one month old because of the risk of a serious type of anemia.
• Older adults may be more likely to have serious lung and liver reactions, especially with long-term use.
• This medicine should not be used in the last few weeks of pregnancy because it can cause a blood problem in the newborn. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since this medicine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed.
• Small amounts of this medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby, so you should not breastfeed while taking it without talking to your doctor first.
• This medicine should not be used if you have severe kidney disease, since it can build up in the body and increase the risk of side effects.
• Do not take this medicine if you have had jaundice or liver problems caused by nitrofurantoin in the past. Watch for signs of liver injury such as nausea, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• There is no known direct interaction between this medicine and alcohol, but alcohol may worsen side effects and slow your recovery from the infection.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light
• Store at controlled room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Keep all medications away from children and pets
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so
• Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed; consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have watery or bloody diarrhea.
• Call your doctor right away if you have sudden chest pain, wheezing, or a dry cough.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a new or worsening cough or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, or unexplained weight loss.
• Call your doctor right away if you have numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of liver problems, such as nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Call your doctor right away if you have joint pain or swelling along with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, or patchy skin color, which may be signs of a lupus-like reaction.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center.

Alternatives

• Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
• Fosfomycin
• Trimethoprim
• Cephalexin
• Amoxicillin-Clavulanate