Nitrofurantoin Capsules

Description

Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Aerobacter aerogenes. Proteus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus faecalis are usually resistant.

Indications

Nitrofurantoin macrocrystals capsules 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 macrocrystals capsules and other antibacterial drugs, nitrofurantoin macrocrystals capsules 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 macrocrystals capsules 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 macrocrystals capsules, other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected. In considering the use of nitrofurantoin macrocrystals capsules, 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.

Directions

It is important to follow your Veterinarian's prescription instructions for your pet. It is important to give this medication with food.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Use with extreme caution in pregnant or nursing pets. Use with caution if your pet is also taking fluoroquinolones, probenecid, or spironolactone. Do not use in pets with known sensitivity to nitrofurantoin. Use with caution in pets suffering from anemia, asthma, diabetes, or kidney disease. If your pet exhibits muscle weakness, it may be a sign of a serious side effect. Contact your veterinarian immediately. Use in young pets may cause tooth discoloration. Nitrofurantoin may cause infertility in male animals. Store at room temperature.

Possible Side Effects

If you notice muscle weakness in your pet, this could be a sign of neurotoxicity, which could be serious. Contact your veterinarian immediately. Nitrofurantoin may cause infertility in males.