Nitrofurantion Tablets Tablet (Nitrofurantoin) — Uses, Dosage & NAFDAC

Who is this for?

What is this drug?

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).

What is it used for?

Urinary tract infection (UTI)bladder infectionburning or painful urination caused by bacteria

Browse by condition

Bacterial Infections

How it works

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.

Quick Interaction Check

Is Nitrofurantoin safe to take with another drug?

Check with multiple drugs →

Explore this drug

How to take 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.

What if I Miss a Dose?

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.

What to watch out for

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.

Common Side Effects

Nausea or feeling like vomiting
loss of appetite
headache
dark yellow or brownish urine (this is normal and not harmful)
mild diarrhea

Serious Side Effects

Difficulty breathing or chest pain (could mean lung problems — go to a hospital immediately)
numbness or tingling in your hands or feet (nerve damage)
yellowing of the eyes or skin with dark urine (possible liver damage — seek urgent medical help)

Drug Interactions

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?

Check →

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

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.

Who Should NOT Take This

People allergic to nitrofurantoin
babies under 1 month old
people with serious kidney problems (especially if your kidneys are not working well enough to properly filter urine)
people with G6PD deficiency (a blood condition more common in Nigerians that causes red blood cells to break down)
and pregnant women close to delivery.

How to Store

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.

Nitrofurantion Tablets