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Nitrofurantoin
Antibacterial drug / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Nitrofurantoin is an antibacterial medication of the nitrofuran class used to treat urinary tract infections, although it is not as effective for kidney infections.[10] It is taken by mouth.[10]
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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Macrobid, others[1] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682291 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 40% |
Metabolism | Liver (75%) |
Elimination half-life | 20 minutes |
Excretion | Kidney and bile duct |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.587 ![]() |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C8H6N4O5 |
Molar mass | 238.159 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
Melting point | 270 to 272 °C (518 to 522 °F) (decomp.) |
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Common side effects include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and headaches.[10] Rarely numbness, lung problems, or liver problems may occur.[10] While it appears to be generally safe during pregnancy its use is not recommended near time of delivery.[10][2] While it usually works by slowing bacterial growth, it may result in bacterial death at the high concentrations found in urine.[10]
Nitrofurantoin was first sold in 1953.[11] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[12] It is available as a generic medication.[10] In 2021, it was the 135th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.[13][14]