Macrobid

Macrobid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Macrobid is used to treat urinary tract infections.

Macrobid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), fever, chills, cough, chest pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin, unusual weakness, numbness or tingling, or diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb Macrobid.

Take Macrobid for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Macrobid will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Take Macrobid with food or milk.

You should not use Macrobid if you are allergic to nitrofurantoin, or if you have:

severe kidney disease

a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by taking nitrofurantoin

if you are urinating less than usual or not at all; or

if you are in the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before taking Macrobid, tell your doctor if you have:

Kidney disease

Anemia

Diabetes

An electrolyte imbalance or vitamin B deficiency

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

Any type of debilitating disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. Macrobid is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, unless it is used during the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take Macrobid without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby. Do not give Macrobid to a child younger than 12 years old.

Take Macrobid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Macrobid with food or milk. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring spoon or dropper, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

You may mix your liquid dose with water, milk, or fruit juice to make it easier to swallow. Drink the entire mixture right away.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Macrobid is usually given for up to 1 week after lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Macrobid will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your kidney function may need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Macrobid can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Macrobid. Store Macrobid at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze liquid nitrofurantoin medicine.