Macrobid: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is MacroBID used for?

MacroBID is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.

Antibacterial drugs like MACROBID treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

How does MacroBID work?

MacroBID is an antibiotic. It is activated when it is broken down by bacteria. After it is activated, MacroBID kills bacteria and prevents the growth of infections.

What are the ingredients in MacroBID?

Medicinal ingredients: nitrofurantoin

Non-medicinal ingredients: carbomer 934P, corn starch, compressible sugar, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, talc, hard gelatin capsule shell (D&C Yellow No. 10, edetate calcium disodium, edible gray ink, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium propionate, and titanium dioxide).

MacroBID comes in the following dosage forms:

MacroBID is available as a 100 mg capsule.

Do not use MacroBID if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in MacroBID. Make sure to read “What are the ingredients in MacroBID?” above.
• you have a severe disease of the kidneys.

• you are in the final stages of pregnancy (in labour or during delivery) as there is a risk that it might affect the baby

Do not give MacroBID to newborns or infants under one month of age.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MacroBID. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have disease of the lungs. You may develop lung disease if you need to take MacroBID for a number of months. Your doctor must regularly check how your lungs are working. Talk to your doctor about benefits and risks of taking MacroBID for a long term.
• have liver disease. Your doctor may want to regularly check how your liver is working. Your doctor may want to regularly check how your liver is working. If you get liver disease while taking MacroBID, you should immediately stop taking the medicine and talk to your doctor.
• have kidney disease
• lack an enzyme (body chemical) called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Your red blood cells are more easily damaged if you do not have this enzyme. This condition is more common in black people and people of Mediterranean or near- Eastern origin. Your doctor will know about this.
• Are breast feeding a baby with suspected or known deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

Other warnings you should know about:

• The following conditions may increase the chance of developing a side effect which causes damage to the nerves, altered sense of feeling, like pins and needles:

  • anaemia (a decrease in red blood cells causing pale skin, weakness and breathlessness);
  • diabetes
  • a lack of vitamin B
  • abnormal levels of salts in your blood.
  • you are suffering from an illness that makes you very tired

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with MacroBID:

Medicines:

• medicines for indigestion (Antacids e.g. magnesium trisilicate)
• medicines for gout (e.g. probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)

You should not take MacroBID along with medicines that affect your kidneys

Laboratory tests:

• If you are taking MacroBID, you may get false positive results when you test your urine for sugars (glucose).

How to take MacroBID:

• MacroBID should be taken every 12 hours with food or milk. This will help to avoid upset stomach.

• Although you may feel better early in treatment, MACROBID should be used exactly as directed.
• Misuse or overuse of MACROBID could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by MACROBID (resistance). This means that MACROBID may not work for you in the future.
• Do not share your medicine.

Usual dose:

Adults and Children over 12 years:

One MacroBID 100 mg capsule twice a day for 7 days. Do not take more than 2 capsules per day.

If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor will decide how long you should take MacroBID.

Overdose:

Missed Dose:

If you forget to take MacroBID, do not worry. If you remember later on that day, take that day’s dose as usual. If you miss a whole day’s dose take the normal dose on the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule. If you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What are possible side effects from using MacroBID?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking MacroBID. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Common side effects in people who take MacroBID include:

• nausea or vomiting
• headache
• flatulence (passing gas)

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Store at room temperature (20ºC-25ºC).

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about MacroBID:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website http://www.allergan.ca, or by calling 1-800-668-6424.

Last Revised: October 17, 2018