Urinary antibiotics (grouped by use)
Nitrofurantoin
Urine infections (cystitis)
Start a diary for this antibiotic
Usually prescribed for:Urine infection (cystitis)
Information follows NICE antimicrobial prescribing guidance and the BNF.
Common side effects
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Dark yellow or brown urine (harmless)
- Headache
How often each one happens varies by medicine and product, so check your leaflet. Many are mild, but ask your pharmacist or doctor if they are troublesome or do not settle.
Less common side effects
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Being sick
Get medical help straight away if you notice
- New breathlessness, cough or chest pain (lung reaction): stop nitrofurantoin and get medical advice straight away. This can happen even on a short course
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Taking it safely
- Take with food or a snack.
- Not used if kidney function is poor, or at the very end of pregnancy.
Report a side effect
You can report any suspected side effect to the UK Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.