Effectiveness of Macrobid & It’s Dosage, Side Effects

Taking macrobid or nitrofurantoin is strictly prohibited if you have severe urination problems, kidney disease or a record of liver problems or jaundice due to nitrofurantoin. It is advisable not to take macrobid or nitrofurantoin during your final weeks of pregnancy (last 2-4weeks).

Macrobid or nitrofurantoin is an effective antibiotic which inhibit the growth and destroys bacteria and other microorganisms. Macrobid or nitrofurantoin is used for effectively treating infections in urinary tract.

Do not take macrobid or nitrofurantoin in case you are allergic to nitrofurantoin or suffer with:

• Severe kidney disease;
• A record of liver problems or jaundice caused due to intake of nitrofurantoin;
• Your frequency of urination is lesser than usual or no urination at all;
• If you are in the final weeks of pregnancy (last 2-4 weeks).

Taking macrobid or nitrofurantoin is strictly prohibited if you are in the final weeks of pregnancy. To ensure macrobid or nitrofurantoin is safe to you, inform your doctor in case you have the following:

• anemia;
• kidney disease;
• Deficiency of Vitamin B or an electrolyte imbalance;
• diabetes;
• any kind of debilitating disease; or
• G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency;
• FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) pregnancy category B. Macrobid or nitrofurantoin does not harm an unborn child during early pregnancy. You need to inform your doctor in prior if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are pregnant.
• Macrobid or nitrofurantoin can harm a nursing child via breast milk. Breast-feeding is strictly prohibited when taking this medicine.
• Macrobid or nitrofurantoin must not be given for a child lesser than 1 month old.

You need to take macrobid or nitrofurantoin accurately as prescribed by your medical doctor. Strictly adhere to all the directions on the prescription label. Taking this medicine in smaller or larger amounts or for longer period than recommended is strictly prohibited.

• It is advisable to intake macrobid or nitrofurantoin along with food.
• You need to shake the liquid (oral suspension) well in prior to measuring a dosage. You need to measure the liquid medicine with the dosing syringe that is included in the medicine or using a medicine cup or with a special dose-measuring spoon. Ask your pharmacist for a dose-measuring device if you do not one.
• You can mix your liquid dose with milk, fruit juice and also water making it easy to swallow. You need to drink the whole mixture instantly without keeping it for long.

You need to take macrobid or nitrofurantoin for the full prescribed period of time. There are possibilities of your symptoms improving before your infection is wholly cleared. It is advisable to not skip any dosage as it will only increase the infection resisting the medicine. This medicine is not to treat any type of viral disease such as flu or cold.

• In most cases macrobid or nitrofurantoin is given to the patient for another 3 days even after lab reports show infection cured.
• In case you are using macrobid or nitrofurantoin for long term you will need to visit your doctor’s place regularly to conduct regular tests.
• This medicine can give irregular glucose level in certain lab tests in the urine. You need to tell all your health care providers that you are using this medicine

Treatment for Cystitis – General Adult Dosage

• Regular macrobid or nitrofurantoin release dosage: Must be given 4 times in a day for the first week with 50 to 100 milligrams. This has to be continued for a minimum of 3 days after obtaining urine sterility.
• Dual release: Two time a day orally for 7 days – 100 milligrams.

Treatment for Cystitis – General Pediatric Dosage

• Regular macrobid or nitrofurantoin release dosage: For kids of 1 month or older: must be given orally dividing the doses into four: 5 to 7 milligrams/kg per day (up to 400 milligrams/day)
• Dual release: For kids above 12 years of age: two times a day for 7 days – 100 milligrams.

Treatment for Cystitis Prophylaxis: General Pediatric Dosage

• Regular macrobid or nitrofurantoin dosage: For kids of 1 month or older: must be given orally dividing the doses into 1-2 dosages: 1 to 2 milligrams/kg per day (up to 100 milligrams/day).

If you experience any symptoms of allergic reactions to this medicine such as swelling of tongue, face, throat, lips, difficulty in breathing, hives, get immediate medical assistance

Get immediate medical help if you have any of these following severe side effects of macrobid or nitrofurantoin:

• Body aches, fever, unexplained weight loss, tiredness
• Difficulty in breathing, worsening or new cough
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Wheezing, sudden discomfort or chest pain, hack or dry cough
• Pain in feet or hands, tingling, numbness
• Lupus – like syndrome: muscle aches, patchy skin color, vomiting, swelling with fever, joint pain, unusual behavior or thoughts, chest pain, swollen glands, joint pain
• Liver problems – tired feeling, clay colored stools, itching, dark urine, nausea, tired feeling, jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), stomach pain

There are high chances of older adults having serious side effects especially those who are debilitated or ill.

Here are the other common side effects of macrobid or nitrofurantoin:

• Mild diarrhea
• Dizziness, headache
• Upset stomach, gas are also side effects of macrobid or nitrofurantoin
• Vaginal discharge or itching.