Nitrofurantoin (Oral Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Changes in facial skin color
2. chest pain
3. chills
4. cough
5. fever
6. general feeling of discomfort or illness
7. hives, itching, skin rash
8. hoarseness
9. joint or muscle pain
10. sudden trouble swallowing or breathing
11. swelling of the face, mouth, hands, or feet
12. trouble breathing

Less common

1. Black, tarry stools
2. blood in the urine or stools
3. burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
4. dizziness
5. drowsiness
6. headache
7. pinpoint red spots on the skin
8. sore throat
9. unsteadiness or awkwardness
10. unusual bleeding or bruising
11. unusual tiredness or weakness
12. weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Rare

1. Blindness
2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
3. blue-yellow color blindness
4. bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
5. blurred vision or loss of vision, with or without eye pain
6. bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
7. change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
8. chest tightness
9. confusion
10. cracks in the skin
11. dark urine
12. decreased vision
13. diarrhea
14. diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
15. eye pain
16. general tiredness and weakness
17. light-colored stools
18. loss of appetite
19. loss of heat from the body
20. mental depression
21. mood or mental changes
22. nausea or vomiting
23. pale skin
24. pale stools
25. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
26. red, irritated eyes
27. red, swollen skin
28. red, thickened, or scaly skin
29. skin rash
30. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
31. stomach pain
32. swollen or painful glands
33. tenderness of salivary glands
34. unpleasant breath odor
35. upper right abdominal pain
36. visual changes
37. vomiting of blood
38. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Diarrhea
2. gas

Incidence not known

1. Dizziness or lightheadedness
2. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
3. lack or loss of strength
4. loss of hair, temporary
5. sensation of spinning
6. uncontrolled eye movements

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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