Nitrofurantoin Oral: Cystitis Dosing and Safety
Nitrofurantoin guidance for uncomplicated cystitis when other antibiotics cannot be used, with renal and G6PD precautions.
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Guide category
Oral drugs
Safety boundary
Prescription medicine information for clinician-guided use.
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Therapeutic action
Antibacterial (group of nitrofuranes).
Indications
Uncomplicated cystitis, without fever or lower back pain, when no other antibiotic can be used.
Forms and strengths
- 100 mg tablet.
Dose and duration
- Adult: 100 mg 3 times daily for 5 to 7 days.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with renal impairment, G6PD deficiency, or allergy to nitrofurantoin.
- May cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, brownish urine, haemolytic anaemia in patients with G6PD deficiency, pulmonary disorders, hepatic disorders, and allergic reactions.
- Do not administer simultaneously with antacids containing aluminium or magnesium hydroxide. Administer doses at least 2 hours apart.
- Pregnancy: contraindicated during the last month of pregnancy because of the risk of haemolysis in the newborn.
- Breast-feeding: avoid during the first month.
- Take during meals.
- Do not use nitrofurantoin to prevent cystitis.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page combines source-derived medicine reference sections with Kenza editorial context, while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections from the source batch.
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