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Nitrofurantoin

Buy Nitrofurantoin after completing our online consultation for cystitis

  • Pack of Nitrofurantoin Mercury Pharma 100mg prolonged-release capsules
4.8 735 Patient reviews review
100mg (prolonged release)
6 Capsules (£14.99)

Prices include next-day delivery and prescription

6 Capsules £14.99

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Please note, this treatment is currently only available from HealthExpress for women. If you are a man and showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), you should visit your GP or GUM clinic. They will be able to rule out more serious underlying causes.

More information about Nitrofurantoin

What is Nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic prescribed to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), specifically cystitis. It contains the active ingredient of the same name.

Nitrofurantoin is also available as a branded drug, sold under different names. However, if you buy Nitrofurantoin online from HealthExpress, it has the same properties and effects as the branded drug MacroBID - coming in the form of 100mg modified-release (MR) capsules or tablets.

You should only take this medication if a doctor has prescribed it (this includes our online prescription). Taking antibiotics unnecessarily will cause more harm than good and lead to increased antibiotic resistance.

This treatment is not available online to men. This is because UTIs are more difficult to diagnose in men and can indicate more serious conditions. If you are male, you should visit your doctor or a clinic that specializes in sexual health.

If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should ask your doctor about the best way to treat the situation.

How does Nitrofurantoin work?

Nitrofurantoin is effective at treating UTIs because the body absorbs the active agent and eventually concentrates it in your urine.

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that works by damaging the DNA of bacterial cells, preventing them from regenerating or duplicating. It prevents your immune system from creating a required protein. As a result, your immune system can better fight the infection.

Please note, you must complete the prescribed course, even if symptoms clear early. Due to the way antibiotics work, the infection can return if prescribing instructions are not followed.

If you are not sure how long your course of treatment should last, check with your doctor or look at the patient information leaflet (PIL) that came with your medication

How do I take Nitrofurantoin?

For full instructions, please consult the patient information leaflet (PIL).

  • tablets should be taken whole - do not crush or split them
  • tablets should be taken with meals or milk - to help you absorb the medication and avoid feeling nauseous

To ensure your infection is cleared completely, you should finish your course of treatment, even if you do start to feel better before the full time of treatment.

The antibiotic has different treatment lengths for men and women, as follows:

Women

You should take a 100mg (MR) capsule twice a day, for three days.

Alternatively, if you are prescribed the 50mg dosage, you should take tablets four times a day for three days.

If symptoms persist beyond three days, you can continue to take the medication for up to seven days, or until the symptoms resolve. If symptoms persist beyond seven days, please seek immediate medical advice.

Men

Please note, if you are male, you cannot be prescribed this medication online. You should contact your regular doctor for an in-person diagnosis.

Most UTIs affect the bladder and the urethra, which is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. UTIs are a very common infection for women, but rare for men.

When a man develops a UTI, it is usually considered complicated and more likely to spread to the kidneys.

If diagnosed and prescribed in-person, men should take a 100 mg (modified release) capsule twice a day for seven days to clear the infection. Alternatively, take a 50mg tablet four times a day for seven days.

If symptoms persist beyond seven days of treatment, please seek immediate medical advice.

How long does Nitrofurantoin take to work for UTIs?

That usually depends on how long the course is. If it is for three days, the infection will get better after that time and be completely gone by seven days. If it is for seven days, the infection should be gone by the end of the course. If the problem continues, tell your doctor so that you can get a stronger treatment.

What are the possible side effects of Nitrofurantoin?

For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet. You will find this included with your order.

You should take this medication with food to minimise feelings of nausea.

Nitrofurantoin might cause urine to turn dark yellow or brown in colour, however, this is normal and is only temporary.

Other common side effects include:

  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach pain
  • diarrhoea
  • dizziness
  • headache

If you experience any breathlessness or difficult breathing after starting this treatment, please seek immediate medical attention.

You should report any unlisted side effects to your doctor. You should also inform your doctor if any reactions are unpleasant or long-lasting.

What precautions should I take?

There are some precautionary measures you need to take into consideration before using Nitrofurantoin for the first time.

Before using this medication you should consult your doctor about any allergies or medical conditions as well as your medical history.

If any of the following apply to you, you should seek other treatment:

  • you have a kidney condition
  • you are pregnant (especially if in the final stages)
  • you have porphyria
  • you or a child you are breastfeeding has a G6PD deficiency
  • you have an allergy to any of the ingredients of this medication

Please note, Nitrofurantoin can cause bacterial vaccines to not work as effectively. Do not schedule vaccinations during your course of treatment.

You should avoid alcohol when using this medication. Instead, drink plenty of water to help flush the bacteria out.

Pregnancy

This medication cannot be prescribed online to pregnant women. You should speak with your doctor to discuss other options.

Can you drink on Nitrofurantoin?

It is important to avoid alcohol when taking this medication. Drink plenty of water instead to help flush the bacteria out.

Even though the alcohol will not affect how Nitrofurantoin works, it will make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Can I buy Nitrofurantoin online?

To buy Nitrofurantoin online, you need to fill out a short medical questionnaire. Our team of registered doctors will review it and, if the treatment is right for you, they will issue a prescription to our pharmacy.

We will send your order using a next-day delivery service.

All of our doctors are based in the UK. Our service has all the relevant and mandatory safety certificates. These certificates can be viewed at the very bottom of this page.

Note: Decisions about treatment are for both the prescriber and the person to jointly consider during the consultation. However, the final decision will always be the prescriber’s.

Nitrofurantoin FAQs

What is Nitrofurantoin used for?

Nitrofurantoin is a type of antibiotic that is used to treat urinary tract infections, bladder infections and kidney infections.

Can Nitrofurantoin treat bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Nitrofurantoin is not effective in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV). More commonly prescribed antibiotics to treat BV are Metronidazole and Flumozin.

Can Nitrofurantoin treat chlamydia?

No, Nitrofurantoin is not prescribed for Chlamydia. Antibiotics such as Azithromycin and Doxycycline are more effective for treating chlamydia.

Does Nitrofurantoin contain penicillin?

No, Nitrofurantoin contains the active ingredient of the same name. It belongs to a different class of antibiotics.

Is Nitrofurantoin safe in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Yes, Nitrofurantoin can be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is always best to check with your doctor or midwife before taking it. However, you must not take Nitrofurantoin during the late stages of pregnancy.

How long do Nitrofurantoin side effects last?

When you start taking this medication, you may have some side effects. Most of these will go away after a few days, but if they persist or get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

Can Nitrofurantoin cause thrush?

Taking Nitrofurantoin for a long time can cause thrush. If you think you have thrush, you should see your doctor for treatment.

Can Nitrofurantoin cause stomach pain?

Yes, Nitrofurantoin can sometimes cause stomach pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing persistent or severe stomach pain whilst taking this medication, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Can you drink on Nitrofurantoin?

Yes, you can drink alcohol whilst on Nitrofurantoin. However, the effects of the alcohol may make any side effects you're experiencing worse. It's always best to drink in moderation.

Can I take paracetamol with Nitrofurantoin?

Yes, you can take paracetamol whilst on Nitrofurantoin to alleviate any discomfort from the UTI.

Can I take Metronidazole and Nitrofurantoin together?

No, you cannot take Metronidazole and Nitrofurantoin together as this can cause some serious adverse effects.

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Nitrofurantoin reviews
Pack of Nitrofurantoin Mercury Pharma 100mg prolonged-release capsules Excellent 4.8 735 patients have reviewed Nitrofurantoin on Trustpilot
Featured reviews review
  • I like to keep a spare supply of Nitrofurantoin at home as my symptoms will more often than not occur at the weekend when I am unable to get a urine sample to my GP or obtain a prescription. These antibiotics ease my symptoms quite quickly so I rate them very highly. As far as value for money is concerned, I am entitled to free medication on the NHS but it is reassuring to know that I can obtain fast acting medication the following day.

    Sandy F
  • I developed a nasty bout of cystitis near to a weekend and whilst researching remedies, I found I could order the appropriate antibiotic on the Internet. Rather than faff about trying to get a GP prescription and being left in pain over the weekend, I ordered this, delivered the next day and it relieved the problem in 2 days. Phew!

    Jill A
  • Had a urinary tract infection and have used these before so I know they work quickly. Great value for money and put it this way when you have a urinary tract infection you need a antibiotic to act Fast and these do the job. Just to say all antibiotics don’t work for everybody but these work have worked for me.

    Rachael B
  • Excellent in successfully treating urinary tract infections. A three day course of treatment which is tailored to suit your needs. Professional and reliable assessment carried out by an online doctor to ensure treatment is suitable.

    Mrs L B
  • Definitely the cheapest option with next day delivery I could find. Product is the same as everywhere else but the ease of using this service makes it better suited for busy lifestyle and I saved quite a bit on my treatment as well. Works for me.

    Miss Agata
  • I was in the middle of a cystitis attack and feeling too poorly to go to a pharmacy. So I googled Cystitis and found Healthexpress, who were very proactive about prescribing and sending antibiotics which arrived the next day and alleviated most of the pain within 24 hours.

    Lee F
  • It worked exceptionally quickly after the first tablet to provide relief for nasty cystitis symptoms I was experiencing, especially as I work from home and needed urgent relief.

    Alison H
15 Mar

Works well

Cherrelle W
12 Mar

Very good product for relief of cystitis. Antibiotic favoured for treatment of this condition.

Judith H
11 Mar

Very good treatment

Karen A
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