NR 293
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid): Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Infections
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 293 – Pharmacology
Nitrofurantoin is a medication that is only available by mouth but can is found as a capsule,
extended-release capsule, and an oral suspension. Some common brand names for Nitrofurantoin
are; Furadantin, Macrodantin, and the most used is Macrobid (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017).
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is classified as an anti-infective and is used to treat urinary tract
infections. These urinary tract infections can be gram-negative or gram-positive. Nitrofurantoin
can treat most gram-negative bacteria and some gram-positive bacteria, which include
Staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermis, and Enterococcus (Vallerand & Sanoski,
2017).
The administration of Nitrofurantoin includes knowing that tablets cannot be crushed,
and capsules cannot be opened, this affects the effectiveness of the medication and the
absorption. Another thing to keep in mind during administration is that when giving an oral
suspension, it is important to shake it well to help distribute the medication equally in the
solution (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017). Upon giving an oral dose, make sure the patient takes it
with food or milk as this helps with gastrointestinal irritation. As a nurse, it is essential to
educate our patients on taking medication as directed, be sure to inform the patient that this
medication should be taken for a minimum of 7 days and for at least three days after urine is
sterile again (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017).
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid): Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Infections
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 293 – Pharmacology
Nitrofurantoin is a medication that is only available by mouth but can is found as a capsule,
extended-release capsule, and an oral suspension. Some common brand names for Nitrofurantoin
are; Furadantin, Macrodantin, and the most used is Macrobid (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017).
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is classified as an anti-infective and is used to treat urinary tract
infections. These urinary tract infections can be gram-negative or gram-positive. Nitrofurantoin
can treat most gram-negative bacteria and some gram-positive bacteria, which include
Staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermis, and Enterococcus (Vallerand & Sanoski,
2017).
The administration of Nitrofurantoin includes knowing that tablets cannot be crushed,
and capsules cannot be opened, this affects the effectiveness of the medication and the
absorption. Another thing to keep in mind during administration is that when giving an oral
suspension, it is important to shake it well to help distribute the medication equally in the
solution (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017). Upon giving an oral dose, make sure the patient takes it
with food or milk as this helps with gastrointestinal irritation. As a nurse, it is essential to
educate our patients on taking medication as directed, be sure to inform the patient that this
medication should be taken for a minimum of 7 days and for at least three days after urine is
sterile again (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2017).
