Macrobid

Macrobid treats urinary tract infections. Finish taking all of your medication. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking medication unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Macrobid Overview

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Macrobid is a prescription medication used to treat urinary tract infections. Macrobid belongs to a group of drugs called nitrofuran antibiotics. These agents work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This medication comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day, with food.

Common side effects of Macrobid include nausea, headache, and gas.

How was your experience with Macrobid?

First, a little about yourself

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What tips would you provide a friend before taking Macrobid?

What are you taking Macrobid for?

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  • Other
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Gram-negative Bacterial Infections
  • Gram-positive Bacterial Infections
  • Urinary Tract Infections

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Macrobid work for you?

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How likely would you be to recommend Macrobid to a friend?

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Macrobid Cautionary Labels

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Uses of Macrobid

Macrobid is a prescription medication used to treat urinary tract infections.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Macrobid Drug Class

Macrobid is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Macrobid

Serious side effects have been reported with Macrobid. See "Precautions" section.

Common side effects of Macrobid include the following:

  • diarrhea
  • upset stomach
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • constipation
  • vomiting

This is not a complete list of Macrobid side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Macrobid Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Antacids containing magnesium such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Mylanta)
  • Uricosuric drugs such as probenecid (Benemid)

This is not a complete list of Macrobid drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Macrobid Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Macrobid including the following:

  • Lung problems (pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms:
    • malaise
    • dyspnea
    • cough
  • Liver problems
  • Peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems)
  • Clostridium difficile- associated diarrhea

Macrobid can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Macrobid affects you.

Do not take Macrobid if you:

  • are known hypersensitivity/allergy to Macrobid or to any of its ingredients
  • significant impairment of renal function
  • pregnant patients at term (38-42 weeks gestation) as well as during labor and delivery
  • in patients with a previous history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with Macrobid

Macrobid Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Macrobid, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Macrobid, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Macrobid or to any of its ingredients
  • have a previous history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with Macrobid
  • have kidney problems
  • lung disease
  • nerve damage
  • anemia
  • glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease)
  • if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Macrobid and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Macrobid falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Macrobid. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

 

Macrobid and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Macrobid has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Macrobid, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

 

Macrobid Usage

Take Macrobid exactly as prescribed.

Macrobid is available as capsules and can be given two times a day. It is recommended to take Macrobid with food.

Patients should be instructed to complete the full course of therapy; however, they should be advised to contact their physician if any unusual symptoms occur during therapy.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Macrobid at the same time.

 

Macrobid Dosage

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication
  • your age

The recommended dose of Macrobid for the treatment of urinary tract infection is 100 mg every 12 hours.

Macrobid Overdose

If you take too much Macrobid, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

 

Other Requirements

  • Store Macrobid at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F or 15° to 30°C).
  • Keep away from heat and sunlight.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.