Nitrofuran Antibacterial

Nitrofurantoin

Approved 2 Jul 2025OralSuspension

The FDA lists this product in 22 strengths and forms.

Indications

Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is indicated in adults and pediatric patients 1 month of age and older for the treatment of urinary tract infections due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species and Enterobacter species . Limitations of Use Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )].

Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin oral suspension and other antibacterial drugs, nitrofurantoin oral suspension should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.

In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is a nitrofuran antibacterial indicated in adults and pediatric patients 1 month of age and older for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses.

( 1 ) Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin oral suspension and other antibacterial drugs nitrofurantoin oral suspension should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. ( 1 )

Contraindications

Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is contraindicated in:

patients with known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
patients with a previous history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with nitrofurantoin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
patients who have anuria, oliguria, or significant impairment of renal function (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine) due to an increased risk of toxicity resulting from impaired excretion of the drug [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].

Indications

Contraindications

Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is contraindicated in:

patients with known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
patients with a previous history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with nitrofurantoin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
patients who have anuria, oliguria, or significant impairment of renal function (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine) due to an increased risk of toxicity resulting from impaired excretion of the drug [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].

Warnings and precautions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving nitrofurantoin. If signs and symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately discontinue nitrofurantoin oral suspension. ( 5.1 )
Pulmonary Reactions: Discontinue if sign and symptoms of pulmonary reactions occur and take appropriate measures. ( 5.2 )
Hepatotoxicity: Discontinue if signs/symptoms of hepatitis occur. Monitor liver function tests. ( 5.3 )
Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy has occurred. ( 5.4 )
Hemolytic Anemia: Discontinue if sign and symptoms of hemolysis occur. ( 5.5 )
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea: Evaluate patients if diarrhea occurs. ( 5.6 )

5.1Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious

and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving nitrofurantoin [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. If signs and symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately discontinue nitrofurantoin oral suspension and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care. Nitrofurantoin oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin.

5.2Pulmonary Reactions

Acute, subacute, or chronic pulmonary reactions have been reported in patients treated with nitrofurantoin. If these reactions occur, discontinue nitrofurantoin oral suspension and take appropriate measures. Reports have cited pulmonary reactions as a contributing cause of death. Chronic pulmonary reactions (diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, or both) can develop insidiously. These reactions occur generally in patients receiving therapy for six months or longer.

Close monitoring of the pulmonary condition of patients receiving long-term therapy is warranted and requires that the benefits of therapy be weighed against potential risks [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )].

5.3Hepatotoxicity

Hepatic reactions, including hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis, has occurred. Fatalities have been reported. The onset of chronic active hepatitis may be insidious. Monitor patients periodically for changes in biochemical tests that would indicate liver injury. If hepatitis occurs, discontinue nitrofurantoin oral suspension immediately, and take appropriate measures.

5.4Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, which may become severe or irreversible, has occurred. Fatalities have been reported. Conditions such as renal impairment (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine), anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, vitamin B deficiency, and debilitating disease may enhance the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy. Monitor patients receiving long-term therapy periodically for changes in renal function.

Optic neuritis has been reported with nitrofurantoin formulations [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )].

5.5Hemolytic Anemia Cases

of hemolytic anemia of the primaquine-sensitivity type have been induced by nitrofurantoin. Hemolysis appears to be linked to a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the red blood cells of the affected patients. This deficiency is found in 10 percent of Blacks and a small percentage of ethnic groups of Mediterranean and Near-Eastern origin. If hemolysis occurs, discontinue nitrofurantoin oral suspension immediately; hemolysis ceases when the drug is withdrawn.

5.6 Clostridioides difficile -associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including nitrofurantoin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.

Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antibacterial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.

Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and institute surgical evaluation as clinically indicated.

5.7Persistence or Reappearance of Bacteriuria

Nitrofurantoin lacks the broader tissue distribution of other therapeutic agents approved for urinary tract infections. Consequently, many patients who are treated with nitrofurantoin are predisposed to persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs with symptoms of urinary tract infection, after treatment with nitrofurantoin, other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected.

In considering the use of nitrofurantoin, lower eradication rates should be balanced against the increased potential for systemic toxicity and for the development of antibacterial resistance when agents with broader tissue distribution are utilized.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated in pregnant women at term (38 weeks to 42 weeks gestation), during labor and delivery, or when the onset of labor is imminent because of the possibility of hemolytic anemia in the infant (see Clinical Considerations). Published epidemiological studies, including cohort studies and case control studies, have reported inconsistent findings related to nitrofurantoin use during the first trimester and risk of major birth defects.

These studies cannot definitively establish the presence or absence of risk due to several methodological limitations. The limited number of epidemiological studies available have not identified drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no fetotoxicity was observed when nitrofurantoin was administered orally to pregnant rats and rabbits, during organogenesis, at up to 6 times the recommended human dose (see Data).

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Nitrofurantoin is not recommended in pregnant women at term (38 weeks to 42 weeks gestation), during labor and delivery, or when the onset of labor is imminent because of the possibility of hemolytic anemia due to immature erythrocyte enzyme systems (glutathione instability) [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].

Data Animal Data Several reproduction studies have been performed in rabbits and rats at doses up to six times the human dose and have revealed no harm to the fetus due to nitrofurantoin. In a single published study conducted in mice at 68 times the human dose (based on mg/kg administered to the dam), growth retardation and a low incidence of minor and common malformations were observed. However, at 25 times the human dose, fetal malformations were not observed.

Nitrofurantoin has been shown in one published transplacental carcinogenicity study to induce lung papillary adenomas in the F1 generation mice at doses 19 times the human dose on a mg/kg basis. The relationship of this finding to potential human carcinogenesis is presently unknown.

Adverse reactions

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:

Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]
Pulmonary Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]
Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]
Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]
Hemolytic anemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]
Clostridioides difficile -associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]
Persistence or Reappearance of Bacteriuria [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of nitrofurantoin formulations, including, nitrofurantoin oral suspension were identified in clinical studies or post-marketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Respiratory: chronic, subacute, or acute pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Chronic pulmonary reactions have occurred generally in patients who have received continuous treatment for six months or longer. Malaise, dyspnea on exertion, cough, and altered pulmonary function are common manifestations which can occur insidiously. Radiologic and histologic findings of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis, or both, are also common manifestations of the chronic pulmonary reaction. Fever is prominent. The severity of chronic pulmonary reactions and their degrees of resolution appear to be related to the duration of therapy after the first clinical signs appear. Pulmonary function may be impaired permanently, even after cessation of therapy. The risk is greater when chronic pulmonary reactions are not recognized early. In subacute pulmonary reactions, fever and eosinophilia occur less often than in the acute form. Upon cessation of therapy, recovery may require several months. If the symptoms are not recognized as being drug-related and nitrofurantoin therapy is not stopped, the symptoms may become more severe. Acute pulmonary reactions are commonly manifested by fever, chills, cough, chest pain, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltration with consolidation of pleural effusion on x-ray, and eosinophilia. Acute reactions usually occur within the first week of treatment and are reversible with cessation of therapy. Resolution often is dramatic. Changes in EKG (e.g., non-specific ST/T wave changes, bundle branch block) have been reported in association with pulmonary reactions. Cyanosis has been reported. Hepatic: Hepatic reactions, including hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis, have occurred. Neurologic: Peripheral neuropathy, which may become severe or irreversible, has occurred. Fatalities have been reported. Conditions such as renal impairment (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine), anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, vitamin B deficiency, and debilitating diseases may increase the possibility of peripheral neuropathy. Asthenia, vertigo, nystagmus, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness also have been reported with the use of nitrofurantoin. Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), confusion, depression, optic neuritis, and psychotic reactions have been reported. Bulging fontanels, as a sign of benign intracranial hypertension in infants, have been reported rarely. Dermatologic: Exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome) have been reported. Alopecia also has been reported. Allergic: A lupus-like syndrome associated with pulmonary reactions to nitrofurantoin has been reported. Also, angioedema; maculopapular, erythematous, or eczematous eruptions; pruritus; urticaria; anaphylaxis; arthralgia; myalgia; drug fever; and vasculitis (sometimes associated with pulmonary reactions) have been reported. Hypersensitivity reactions present the most frequent spontaneously-reported adverse reactions in worldwide post marketing experience with nitrofurantoin formulations, including nitrofurantoin oral suspension. Gastrointestinal: Nausea, emesis, and anorexia occur most often. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are less common gastrointestinal reactions. These dose-related reactions can be minimized by reduction of dosage. Sialadenitis and pancreatitis have been reported. There have been sporadic reports of pseudomembranous colitis with the use of nitrofurantoin. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment. Hematologic: Cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia has been reported. Miscellaneous: As with other antibacterial agents, superinfections caused by resistant organisms, e.g., Pseudomonas species or Candida species, can occur. There are sporadic reports of Clostridioides difficile superinfections, or pseudomembranous colitis, with the use of nitrofurantoin, including nitrofurantoin oral suspension. Laboratory Adverse Reactions The following laboratory adverse reactions have been reported with the use of nitrofurantoin formulations, including nitrofurantoin oral suspension; increased AST (SGOT), increased ALT (SGPT), decreased hemoglobin, increased serum phosphorus, eosinophilia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia. In most cases, these hematologic abnormalities resolved following cessation of therapy. Aplastic anemia has been reported. The most common adverse reactions occurring in patients are nausea, vomiting, anorexia, vertigo, nystagmus, dizziness, headache, angioedema, rash, urticaria, pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions, hepatic reactions, peripheral neuropathy, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased hemoglobin, increased serum phosphorus, and eosinophilia ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Annora Pharma Private Limited at 1-866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Nitrofurantoin

Indications

Contraindications

Two medicines in one question?

Nitrofurantoin

Indications

Contraindications

Two medicines in one question?

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious

5.2Pulmonary Reactions

5.3Hepatotoxicity

5.4Neuropathy

5.5Hemolytic Anemia Cases

5.7Persistence or Reappearance of Bacteriuria

Interactions

7.1Antacids

7.2Uricosuric Drugs

7.3Drug Interference with Laboratory Tests

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Adverse reactions

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information

At a glance