Teva-Nitrofurantoin: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN used for?

TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.

Antibacterial drugs like TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

How does TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN work?

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

What are the ingredients in TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN?

Medicinal ingredients:

nitrofurantoin

Non-medicinal ingredients:

50 mg Capsules: Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, pregelatinized starch, talc. The capsule shell contains D&C yellow #10, FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, titanium dioxide.

100 mg Capsules: Lactose, com starch, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide. The capsule shell contains D&C yellow #10, FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, titanium dioxide.

TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN comes in the following dosage forms:

TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN is available as 50 mg and 100 mg capsule.

Do not use TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN. Make sure to read “What are the ingredients in TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN?” 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN. 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 TEVA-

  NITROFURANTOIN 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN, 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN:

Medicines:

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

You should not take TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN along with medicines that affect your kidneys

Laboratory tests:

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

How to take TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN:

• TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN should be taken with food or milk. This will help to avoid upset stomach.

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

Usual dose:

Adults: 50-100 mg four times a day.

Children: Dosage should be calculated on the basis of 5-7 mg/kg of body weight per 24 hours given in divided doses four times a day (contraindicated in infants under one month).

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

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose:

If you forget to take TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN, 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 TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN?

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

Common side effects in people who take TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN 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

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Store between 15° - 30°C, protect from light.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about TEVA-NITROFURANTOIN:

• 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 (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); the manufacturer’s website http://www.tevacanada.com; or by calling 1-800-268-4127 ext. 3; or email druginfo@tevacanada.com.

Last Revised: May 11, 2020