Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Nitrofurantoin as follows:
- Nitrofurantoin is significantly eliminated in the urine, by kidneys. Individuals with history of compromised renal function and reduced urine formation, are at increased risk for toxicity with Nitrofurantoin, secondary to reduced elimination. Individuals in toxicity with Nitrofurantoin can present with 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.
- Normal friendly flora residing in the human body help prevent growth of opportunistic infections. Nitrofurantoin use can destroy the normal flora and tip the balance in favor of opportunistic infections. Individuals taking Nitrofurantoin for prolonged period of time carry a significant risk for opportunistic fungal infections, such as, oral thrush and vaginal yeast and candidiasis infections. Watch closely for signs and symptoms of opportunistic infections, such as, white patches in the mouth, intense itching with white discharge from the vagina, to be reported to the physician, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
