| A bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent depending on the concentration and susceptibility of the infecting organism. Nitrofurantoin is active against some gram positive organisms such as S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, S. agalactiae, group D streptococci, viridians streptococci and Corynebacterium. Its spectrum of activity against gram negative organisms includes E. coli, Enterobacter, Neisseria, Salmonella and Shigella. It may be used as an alternative to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for treating urinary tract infections though it may be less effective at eradicating vaginal bacteria. May also be used in females as prophylaxis against recurrent cystitis related to coitus. Nitrofurantoin is highly stable to the development of bacterial resistance, a property thought to be due to its multiplicity of mechanisms of action. |
| Brands | Alfuran
Apo-Nitrofurantoin
Benkfuran
Berkfurin
Ceduran
Chemiofuran
Cistofuran
Cyantin
Cystit
Dantafur
Fua Med
Fuamed
Fur-Ren
Furabid
Furachel
Furadantin
Furadantin Retard
Furadantina MC
Furadantine
Furadantine Mc
Furadantine-Mc
Furadantoin
Furadoin
Furadoine
Furadonin
Furadonine
Furadontin
Furalan
Furaloid
Furan
Furanite
Furantoin
Furantoina
Furatoin
Furedan
Furina
Furobactina
Furophen T
Furophen T-Caps
Gerofuran
It-Uran
Ituran
Ivadantin
Macpac
Macrobid
Macrodantin
Macrodantina
Macrofuran
Macrofurin
N-Toin
Nierofu
Nifurantin
Nitoin
Nitrex
Nitrofan
Nitrofur-C
Nitrofuradantin
Novo-Furantoin
Novofuran
Orafuran
Parfuran
Phenurin
Ro-Antoin
Siraliden
Trantoin
Uerineks
Upiol
Urantoin
Urizept
Uro-Selz
Uro-Tablinen
Urodin
Urofuran
Urofurin
Urolisa
Urolong
USAF EA-2
Uvaleral
Welfurin
Zoofurin
|
| Categories | Anti-Infectives
Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
|
| Manufacturers | Watson laboratories inc
Shionogi pharma inc
Procter and gamble pharmaceuticals inc sub procter and gamble co
Lannett co inc
Elkins sinn div ah robins co inc
Ivax pharmaceuticals inc sub teva pharmaceuticals usa
Sandoz inc
Whiteworth towne paulsen inc
Alvogen inc
Mylan pharmaceuticals inc
|
| Packagers | Amerisource Health Services Corp.
Apotheca Inc.
A-S Medication Solutions LLC
Bryant Ranch Prepack
Buffalo Molasses LLC
Caremark LLC
Central Texas Community Health Centers
Comprehensive Consultant Services Inc.
Direct Dispensing Inc.
Direct Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Dispensing Solutions
Diversified Healthcare Services Inc.
Eon Labs
Gallipot
Goldline Laboratories Inc.
H.J. Harkins Co. Inc.
Heartland Repack Services LLC
Ivax Pharmaceuticals
Kaiser Foundation Hospital
Liberty Pharmaceuticals
Medvantx Inc.
Murfreesboro Pharmaceutical Nursing Supply
Mylan
Norwich Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Nucare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Palmetto Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Patient First Corp.
PCA LLC
PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Pharmaceutical Utilization Management Program VA Inc.
Pharmacy Service Center
Pharmedix
Pharmpak Inc.
Physicians Total Care Inc.
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Prepackage Specialists
Prepak Systems Inc.
Promex Medical Inc.
Ranbaxy Laboratories
Rebel Distributors Corp.
Redpharm Drug
Remedy Repack
Sandhills Packaging Inc.
Sciele Pharma Inc.
Scruggs Pharmacal Co. Inc.
Shionogi Pharma Inc.
Southwood Pharmaceuticals
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Tya Pharmaceuticals
UDL Laboratories
United Research Laboratories Inc.
Vangard Labs Inc.
Warner Chilcott Co. Inc.
Watson Pharmaceuticals
WC Pharmaceuticals
|
indication
May be used as an alternative in the treatment of urinary tract infections. May be used by females pericoitally for prophylaxis against recurrent cystitis related to coitus.
pharmacology
Nitrofurantoin exhibits bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA, RNA, protein and cell wall synthesis.
mechanism of action
Nitrofurantoin is activated by bacterial flavoproteins (nitrofuran reductase) to active reduced reactive intermediates that are thought to modulate and damage ribosomal proteins or other macromolecules, especially DNA, causing inhibition of DNA, RNA, protein, and cell wall synthesis. The overall effect is inhibition of bacterial growth or cell death.
toxicity
Acute toxicity may cause vomiting. Adverse effects include nausea and urine discolouration. Rare hepatotoxic and hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Hemolytic anemia is a risk in patients with G6PD deficiency. Ascending polyneuropathy may occur with prolonged therapy or in patients with low creatinine clearance.
biotransformation
Partially metabolized in liver to aminofurantoin.
absorption
Readily absorbed in GI tract primarily in small intestine. Enhanced by food or delayed gastric emptying via enhanced dissolution rate of the drug.
half life
0.3-1 hour
