Consumer medicine information

Nitrofurantoin BNM


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.


1. Why am I taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Nitrofurantoin BNM contains the active ingredient nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin BNM is used to treat infections of the urinary system caused by bacteria, for example, bladder infections.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I taking Nitrofurantoin BNM? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Do not take Nitrofurantoin BNM if you are close to giving birth or have severe kidney problems.

Do not give Nitrofurantoin BNM to infants under one month of age.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I take Nitrofurantoin BNM? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Nitrofurantoin BNM and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and other health professionals carefully including:

  • how many capsules to take each day (the usual dose is one capsule of either the 50 mg or 100 mg strength taken four times daily)
  • take the capsules with or immediately after food, or with a glass of milk.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take Nitrofurantoin BNM? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Things you should do
  • Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking Nitrofurantoin BNM.
  • Tell your doctor if you have to have any urine or blood tests while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM.
  • Tell your doctor if you notice that the symptoms of your infection do not improve, or if they become worse.
Things you should not do
  • Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly.
Looking after your medicine
  • Store Nitrofurantoin BNM below 25°C.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

The more common side effects are nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Some of the more serious side effects are allergic reactions, numbness or tingling in any area of the body, liver problems (with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, lower back pain, dark urine, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell), breathing issues and fever, chills, cough, or chest pain, asthma attacks, and diarrhoea (which may occur up to several weeks after taking Nitrofurantoin BNM).

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

Nitrofurantoin BNM

Active ingredient(s): nitrofurantoin


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Nitrofurantoin BNM. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Nitrofurantoin BNM.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?
2. What should I know before I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?
5. What should I know while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Nitrofurantoin BNM contains the active ingredient nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin BNM is an antibiotic which belongs to a group of medicines called nitrofurans. It works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria and other organisms causing infections.

Nitrofurantoin BNM is used to treat infections of the urinary system caused by bacteria, for example, bladder infections.

2. What should I know before I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Warnings

Do not take Nitrofurantoin BNM if:

  • you are allergic to nitrofurantoin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
  • you have severe kidney problems
  • you are pregnant and close to giving birth.

Use in children

Do not give Nitrofurantoin BNM to infants under one month of age.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have any other medical conditions such as
    – anaemia (a blood disorder), diabetes, or vitamin B deficiency
    – lack of an enzyme in red blood cells (G-6-PD deficiency) which occurs in a very small number of Mediterranean and Near Eastern origin
    – Kidney problems
  • take any medicines for any other condition.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Nitrofurantoin BNM and affect how it works.

Medicines that may increase the effect of Nitrofurantoin BNM include:

  • agents used to make the urine more acidic, such as ammonium chloride tablets.

Medicines that may reduce the effect of Nitrofurantoin BNM include:

  • agents used to make the urine more alkaline, such as sodium bicarbonate
  • antacids (medicines used to treat heartburn, indigestion or reflux)
  • phenobarbitone, a medicine used to treat epilepsy
  • medicines used to treat gout, such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Nitrofurantoin BNM.

4. How do I take Nitrofurantoin BNM?

How much to take

  • Adults – if you already have an infection: The usual dose is 1 capsule (either the 50 mg or 100 mg strength) four times daily
  • Adults – to prevent an infection: the usual dose is 1 capsule (either the 50 mg or 100 mg strength) taken at night
  • Children: The usual dose is 1.25 to 1.75 mg/kg of body weight given four times a day. Your doctor will calculate the proper dose taking into account the age and weight of the child and how severe the infection is.
  • Follow the instructions provided when Nitrofurantoin BNM was prescribed, including the number of days it should be taken.

When to take Nitrofurantoin BNM

  • Nitrofurantoin BNM should be taken with or immediately after food or with a glass of milk to avoid stomach upset.

If you forget to take Nitrofurantoin BNM

Nitrofurantoin BNM should be taken regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time, and there is still a long time to go before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you take too much Nitrofurantoin BNM

If you think that you have taken too much Nitrofurantoin BNM, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM?

Things you should do

  • Tell your doctor if you have to have any urine or blood tests while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM. This medicine may affect the results of some laboratory tests.
  • Tell your doctor if you are about to start taking any new medicines while taking Nitrofurantoin BNM.

Call your doctor straight away if you:

  • become pregnant while you are taking Nitrofurantoin BNM
  • notice that the symptoms of your infection do not improve, or if they become worse.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking Nitrofurantoin BNM.

Things you should not do

  • Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor, even if you are feeling better. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the bacteria causing your infection may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or may return.
  • Do not give Nitrofurantoin BNM to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
  • Do not take Nitrofurantoin BNM to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Things you should know

  • When taking Nitrofurantoin BNM your urine may turn brown. This is temporary and not associated with any serious effects.
  • Nitrofurantoin BNM may interfere with the normal production of sperm cells. This is reversible. If this causes you any concerns, please speak to your doctor.

Looking after your medicine

  • Nitrofurantoin BNM must be stored below 25°C.
  • Keep the medicine in the pack until it is time to take it.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on window sills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects What to do
  • nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • headache and dizziness
  • drowsiness and altered mood
  • feeling weak
  • bloating
  • discomfort or burning sensation in upper abdomen or lower chest
  • passing wind
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects What to do
  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or neck which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • diarrhoea (which may occur up to several weeks after taking Nitrofurantoin BNM)
  • numbness or tingling in any area of the body
  • confusion, having hallucinations or illusions
  • hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver which can result in yellowing of the skin and eyes, lower back pain, dark urine, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell
  • fever and chills
  • chest pain, difficulty breathing and cough
  • skin rash and itchiness
  • asthma attack
  • sore throat or gums and a continual feeling of tiredness
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

What Nitrofurantoin BNM contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
nitrofurantoin
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
lactose monohydrate, maize starch, purified talc, gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow
Potential allergens lactose monohydrate

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Nitrofurantoin BNM looks like

Nitrofurantoin BNM is available as 50 mg and 100 mg capsules.

The 50 mg capsules are yellow and white containing a yellow powder (AUST R 346711).

The 100 mg capsules are yellow containing a yellow powder (AUST R 346712).

Who distributes Nitrofurantoin BNM

Boucher & Muir Pty Ltd
t/a ADVANZ PHARMA (Australia)
Level 9, 76 Berry Street
North Sydney NSW 2060

Ph: 1800 627 680

This leaflet was prepared on 20 April 2023.

Published by MIMS June 2023