Antibiotic (Nitrofuran class)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria in your urine, making it especially useful for treating infections in the urinary tract (the system that produces and carries urine out of your body).
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by damaging DNA and RNA through metabolic activation of the nitrofuran moiety, while also generating reactive oxygen species that disrupt bacterial cell integrity.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
For active infection, take one 100mg tablet every 6 hours (4 times a day) for 5 to 7 days. Always take it with food or milk — this helps your body absorb it better and reduces stomach upset. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Make sure you complete the full course even if you feel better.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue as normal. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the one you missed.
Important for antibiotics
Always complete the full course even if you feel better. Stopping early can cause the infection to return and become drug-resistant.
Always complete the full course of antibiotics even if your symptoms disappear after 2–3 days — stopping early can make the bacteria resistant and harder to treat next time. Buy only from a licensed pharmacy and check the expiry date, do not buy from roadside sellers or open markets. Do not share your prescription with others even if they have similar symptoms, as UTI can be caused by different bacteria.
Avoid taking it with antacids containing magnesium trisilicate (commonly sold in Nigerian pharmacies) as they reduce its effectiveness. Do not take with probenecid or sulfinpyrazone as these drugs can cause nitrofurantoin to build up dangerously in your blood. Avoid alcohol while on this medication as it can worsen stomach upset and side effects.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Nitrofurantoin with your other drugs?
Do not use nitrofurantoin during the last 2–4 weeks of pregnancy or during labour, as it can harm the baby; it may be used earlier in pregnancy only if a doctor prescribes it, and it passes into breast milk so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be very hot, so avoid leaving it on windowsills or in your car. Keep the container tightly closed to protect from humidity, and always store out of reach of children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.