nitrofurantoin macrocrystals

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals) are specifically indicated for the treatment of urinary tract infections when due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, enterococci , Staphylococcus aureus , and certain susceptible strains of Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals) and other antibacterial drugs, nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals) 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. Nitrofurantoins lack the broader tissue distribution of other therapeutic agents approved for urinary tract infections. Consequently, many patients who are treated with nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals) are predisposed to persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria. Urine specimens for culture and susceptibility testing should be obtained before and after completion of therapy. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals), other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected. In considering the use of nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals), lower eradication rates should be balanced against the increased potential for systemic toxicity and for the development of antimicrobial resistance when agents with broader tissue distribution are utilized.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Nitrofurantoin capsules USP, (macrocrystals) should be given with food to improve drug absorption and, in some patients, tolerance. Adults: 50 mg to 100 mg four times a day --the lower dosage level is recommended for uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Pediatric Patients: 5 mg/Kg to 7 mg/kg of body weight per 24 hours, given in four divided doses (contraindicated under one month of age). Therapy should be continued for one week or for at least 3 days after sterility of the urine is obtained. Continued infection indicates the need for reevaluation. For long-term suppressive therapy in adults, a reduction of dosage to 50 mg to 100 mg at bedtime may be adequate. For long-term suppressive therapy in pediatric patients, doses as low as 1 mg/kg per 24 hours, given in a single dose or in two divided doses, may be adequate. SEE WARNINGS SECTION REGARDING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG-TERM THERAPY.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Anuria, oliguria, or significant impairment of renal function (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine) are contraindications. Treatment of this type of patient carries an increased risk of toxicity because of impaired excretion of the drug. Because of the possibility of hemolytic anemia due to immature erythrocyte enzyme systems (glutathione instability), the drug is contraindicated in pregnant patients at term (38 to 42 weeks' gestation), during labor and delivery, or when the onset of labor is imminent. For the same reason, the drug is contraindicated in neonates under one month of age. Nitrofurantoin capsules (macrocrystals) are contraindicated in patients with a previous history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin capsules (macrocrystals) are also contraindicated in those patients with known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin.

ADVERSE REACTIONS Respiratory: CHRONIC, SUBACUTE, OR ACUTE PULMONARY HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS MAY OCCUR. CHRONIC PULMONARY REACTIONS OCCUR 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 RARELY PROMINENT. THE SEVERITY OF CHRONIC PULMONARY REACTIONS AND THEIR DEGREE 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 or 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 (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 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 rarely. Hepatic: Hepatic reactions, including hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis, occur rarely (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 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 (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 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 rarely. 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 rarely. Transient 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; chills; and vasculitis (sometimes associated with pulmonary reactions) have been reported. Hypersensitivity reactions represent the most frequent spontaneously-reported adverse events in worldwide postmarketing experience with nitrofurantoin formulations. 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 antimicrobial treatment (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). Hematologic: Cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia has been reported rarely. Miscellaneous: As with other antimicrobial agents, superi …

Drug Interactions: Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate, when administered concomitantly with nitrofurantoin, reduce both the rate and extent of absorption. The mechanism for this interaction probably is adsorption of nitrofurantoin onto the surface of magnesium trisilicate. Uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, can inhibit renal tubular secretion of nitrofurantoin. The resulting increase in nitrofurantoin serum levels may increase toxicity, and the decreased urinary levels could lessen its efficacy as a urinary tract antibacterial.

Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. Nitrofurantoin is reduced by bacterial flavoproteins to reactive intermediates which inactivate or alter bacterial ribosomal proteins and other macromolecules. As a result of such inactivations, the vital biochemical processes of protein synthesis, aerobic energy metabolism, DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, and cell wall synthesis are inhibited. Nitrofurantoin is bactericidal in urine at therapeutic doses. The broad-based nature of this mode of action may explain the lack of acquired bacterial resistance to nitrofurantoin, as the necessary multiple and simultaneous mutations of the target macromolecules would likely be lethal to the bacteria.

DESCRIPTION: Nitrofurantoin capsules, USP (macrocrystals) is a synthetic chemical of controlled crystal size. It is a stable, lemon-yellow, crystalline compound. Nitrofurantoin capsules, USP (macrocrystals) is an antibacterial agent for specific urinary tract infections. It is available in 50 mg and 100 mg capsules for oral administration. 1-[[(5-nitro-2-furanyl)methylene] amino]-2,4-imidazolidinedione Nitrofurantoin macrocrystals is a lemon-yellow crystalline compound. It is soluble in dimethylformamide, very slightly soluble in water and in alcohol. Each nitrofurantoin capsules, USP (macrocrystals) intended for oral administration contains 50 mg and 100 mg of nitrofurantoin macrocrystals. In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, talc and titanium dioxide. Additionally each 50 mg and 100 mg capsule shell contains FD & C Blue # 1, FD & C Red # 3 and sodium lauryl sulphate. The capsule is printed with black pharmaceutical ink which contains black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol and shellac. figure

OVERDOSAGE Occasional incidents of acute overdosage of nitrofurantoin capsules (macrocrystals) have not resulted in any specific symptoms other than vomiting. Induction of emesis is recommended. There is no specific antidote, but a high fluid intake should be maintained to promote urinary excretion of the drug. It is dialyzable.

HOW SUPPLIED Nitrofurantoin capsules, USP (macrocrystals) are available as follows: 25 mg white opaque cap and white opaque body, hard gelatin size "5" capsules imprinted with "LS" on cap and "410" on body with black ink, containing light yellow to yellow colored powder. NDC 68001-603-00 Bottle of 100 with child-resistant closure 50 mg blue opaque cap and white opaque body, hard gelatin size "3" capsules imprinted with "LS" on cap and "411" on body with black ink containing light yellow to yellow colored powder. NDC 68001-604-00 Bottle of 100 with child-resistant closure 100 mg blue opaque cap and blue opaque body, hard gelatin size "2" capsules imprinted with "LS" on cap and "412" on body with black ink containing light yellow to yellow colored powder. NDC 68001-605-00 Bottle of 100 with child-resistant closure Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP using a child-resistant closure. Manufactured by: Mankind Pharma Limited Paonta Sahib, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh 173025, India For BluePoint Laboratories The other brands listed are trademarks of their respective owners. Rev: 04/2026, V-03 Code No.: HP/Drugs/N-MNB/17/194