Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Nitrofurantoin as follows:
- Individuals with history of gout and undergoing chemotherapy present with significantly high levels of uric acid and could be prescribed probenecid, to aid the elimination of higher concentrations of uric acid. Nitrofurantoin should be administered cautiously in individuals taking medications for increasing excretion of uric acid, such as, probenecid. Probenecid slows down the metabolism of Nitrofurantoin in the liver and inhibits the secretion of Nitrofurantoin into the urinary tract. The reduced secretion of the antibiotic in the urine can result in compromised therapeutic benefit of Nitrofurantoin as an antibiotic to control UTI and reduced excretion of the antibiotic in urine. This interaction of probenecid with Nitrofurantoin can result in toxic levels of Nitrofurantoin and individuals can present with symptoms of Nitrofurantoin toxicity, such as, anemia, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, neuropathy with tingling and numbness in the extremities, dark urine, yellowing of skin and eyes, nausea and vomiting, poor metabolism, and fatigue. Report any of these findings to your physician, so that, a change in plan of care could be considered.
- This medication can induce some nausea and vomiting, when taken on empty stomach. Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
