Nitrofurantoin 50mg Capsules Hard
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PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Nitrofurantoin 50mg and 100mg Capsules, Hard
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. If any of the side effects becomes serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
The name of your medicine is Nitrofurantoin 50mg or 100mg capsules, Hard. It will be referred to as Nitrofurantoin capsules for ease hereafter.
In this leaflet:
1. What Nitrofurantoin Capsules are and what they are used for
2. Before you take Nitrofurantoin Capsules
3. How to take Nitrofurantoin Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Nitrofurantoin Capsules
6. Further information
Nitrofurantoin (the active substance in Nitrofurantoin Capsules) is an antibiotic.
It is used to prevent and treat infections of the bladder, kidney and other parts of the urinary tract.
□0 NOT TAKE Nitrofurantoin Capsules and talk to your doctor if:
• you are allergic (causing itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing) to nitrofurantoin or any of the ingredients of Nitrofurantoin Capsules (listed in Section 6 at the end of the leaflet) or other medicines containing nitrofurantoin
• you have a disease of the kidneys which is severely affecting the way they work (ask your doctor if you are not sure)
• you are in the final stages of pregnancy (labour or delivery) as there is a risk that it might affect the baby
• you suffer from a blood disorder called porphyria
• you are deficient in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
• in infants under three months of age
• you are breast feeding a baby with suspected or known deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).
Tell your doctor if you are not sure about any of the above.
TAKE SPECIAL CARE with Nitrofurantoin Capsules and speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking the capsules if:
• you have diabetes
• you are suffering from any illness causing severe weakness
• you have anaemia (a decrease in red blood cells causing pale skin, weakness and breathlessness); or a lack of vitamin B or abnormal levels of salts in your blood (your doctor will be able to advise you)
• you have a history of allergic reactions.
The above conditions may increase the chance of developing a side effect which results in damage to the nerves, causes altered sense of feeling, pins and needles.
• you lack an enzyme (body chemical) called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which causes your red blood cells to be more easily damaged (this is more common in black people and people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Asian origin. Your doctor will know)
• you have any disease of the lungs, liver or nervous system. If you need to take Nitrofurantoin Capsules for a number of months, your doctor may want to regularly check how your lungs and liver are working.
Taking other medicines:
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. If they are taken with Nitrofurantoin Capsules their effect or the effect of Nitrofurantoin Capsules may be changed.
• Antacids for indigestion (e.g. magnesium trisilicate)
• Medicines for gout (e.g. probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)
• Medicines which slow the passage of food through the stomach (e.g. atropine, hyoscine)
• Medicines for raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma), such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g. acetazolamide)
• Medicines which make the urine less acidic (e.g. potassium citrate mixture)
• Medicines for infections, known as quinolones
• Oral contraceptive “the pill”. You will need to use extra contraceptive precautions such as using a condom, as antibiotics can make the contraceptive pill less effective
• Typhoid vaccine, which is given for the prevention of typhoid.
If you are in doubt about any of these medicines ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Nitrofurantoin Capsules may interfere with the results of some tests for glucose in the urine.
Taking Nitrofurantoin Capsules with food and drink:
Nitrofurantoin Capsules should be taken at meal times with food or milk This will help to avoid stomach upset and also to help the absorption.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. As far as it is known Nitrofurantoin Capsules may be used in pregnancy. However, it should not be used during labour or delivery because there is a possibility that use at this stage may affect the baby. If you want to breast feed, please consult your doctor first.
□riving and using machines:
Nitrofurantoin Capsules may cause dizziness and drowsiness. You should not drive or operate machinery if you are affected this way until such symptoms go away.
Important information about some of the ingredients in Nitrofurantoin Capsules:
This medicine contains lactose and sucrose (sugars). If you have been told by your doctor that you are intolerant to some sugars and have to avoid them, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Follow your doctor's instructions exactly and complete the course of treatment even if you feel better. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not forget to take your medicine.
Capsules should be swallowed whole.
Adults:
The normal dosage depends on the type of infection you have and instructions should be written on the label provided by the pharmacist. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if these instructions are not clear. The usual doses are:
• For treatment of infections: Either one 50mg capsule or one 10Omg capsule four times a day for seven days
• For prevention of further infections: Either one 50mg capsule or one 100mg capsule at bedtime
• For prevention of infections during surgery: One 50mg capsule four times a day on the day of the operation and three days thereafter.
Children and infants over three months of age:
The dose depends on the weight of the child and will be provided by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Children below 3 months of age should not take Nitrofurantoin Capsules.
Nitrofurantoin Capsules should be taken with food or milk.
Medical Checks:
Your doctor will watch carefully for any effects on the liver, lungs, blood or nervous system.
Nitrofurantoin Capsules may interfere with the results of some tests for glucose in the urine.
If you TAKE MORE Nitrofurantoin Capsules than you should:
Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. Always take any left over capsules
with you, as well as the container and label, so that the medical staff knows what you have taken.
If you FORGET TO TAKE Nitrofurantoin Capsules:
Do not worry. If you remember later on that day, take that day's dose as usual. If you miss a whole day's dose take the normal dose on the next
day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule. If you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you STOP TAKING Nitrofurantoin Capsules:
Your doctor will tell you how long to take the treatment. Do not stop earlier than you are told, even if you feel better.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Nitrofurantoin Capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most of them are mild and disappear when you stop taking Nitrofurantoin Capsules.
All medicines can cause allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are rare. If you notice any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) STOP TAKING your medicine and go to a doctor immediately. If you experience any of the side effects detailed below stop taking Nitrofurantoin Capsules and consult your doctor.
• Your lungs may react to Nitrofurantoin Capsules. This may develop quickly, within a week of starting treatment or very slowly, especially in elderly patients. This may produce fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath
• Jaundice (inflammation of the liver causing yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• The nerves outside the spinal cord may be affected causing changes to the sense of feeling and the use of muscles. In addition headache, extreme changes of mood or mental state, confusion, weakness, blurred vision may occur. These effects may be severe and in some instances permanent
• Raised pressure in the skull (causing severe headaches).
Please note that while taking Nitrofurantoin Capsules your urine may become dark yellow or brown coloured. This is quite normal and not a reason to stop taking the medicine.
Other side effects include:
• Feeling sick (nausea) and headache
• Loose stools
• Loss of appetite, stomach ache, and being sick (vomiting)
• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Blood cells have been affected in some patients. This may result in bruising, delayed clotting of the blood, sore throat, fever, anaemia, and a susceptibility to colds or persistent cold
• A variety of skin rashes or reactions have occurred in some patients. These may appear as flaking skin, a red rash or fever accompanied by rapid heart rate and severe rash with blistering. Other reactions may include inflammation of salivary glands (causing facial pains), inflammation of the pancreas (causing severe abdominal pain) and joint pains
• Short-term hair loss
• Urinary infection by germs which are not sensitive to Nitrofurantoin Capsules.
If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side
effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine
Remember:
This medicine is only for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give this medicine to someone else. It could harm them, even if their symptoms seem the same as yours.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 30 C. Store in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
Do not use Nitrofurantoin Capsules after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
What Nitrofurantoin Capsules contains:
The active substance is Nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin Capsules are available in two strengths, containing either 50mg or 100mg nitrofurantoin.
The other ingredients are talc, maize starch, lactose monohydrate. The capsule shell contains gelatin, sodium lauryl sulphate, quinoline yellow (E104) and titanium dioxide (E171). The printing ink contains shellac and black iron oxide (E172).
What Nitrofurantoin Capsules looks like and contents of the pack:
Appearance: The 50mg capsule is a no. 3 size hard gelatin capsule with an opaque yellow cap and white opaque body. The capsules are printed in edible black ink and bears the monogram “Eaton 008”.
The 100mg capsule is a no. 2 size hard gelatin capsule with an opaque yellow cap and yellow opaque body. The capsules are printed in edible black ink and bears the monogram “Eaton 009”.
Packaging: The capsules are available in blister packs of 30.
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Capital House, 85 King William Street, London EC4N 7BL, UK Manufacturer: Lusomedicamenta S.A., Sociedade Tecnica Farmaceutica, Estrada Consiglieri Pedroso, 69-B, Queluz de Baixo, 2730-055 Barcarena, Portugal.
This leaflet was last revised in December 2013. 102037/LF/2
102038/LF/2