Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibiotic used mainly to treat and prevent uncomplicated urinary tract infections. It concentrates in urine, making it useful for bladder infections but unsuitable for infections in many other tissues.

Nitrofuran antibiotics: Nitrofuran antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs built around a nitrofuran chemical structure. Nitrofurantoin is the best-known urinary antibiotic in this drug family.
Cystitis: Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder, most often caused by bacterial infection. Nitrofurantoin is commonly prescribed for uncomplicated bacterial cystitis.
Trimethoprim: Trimethoprim is an antibacterial drug that inhibits bacterial folate synthesis. It is an alternative for uncomplicated cystitis when local resistance and patient factors permit.
Antimicrobial resistance: Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microorganisms to survive exposure to drugs that would normally inhibit or kill them. Nitrofurantoin resistance remains comparatively uncommon in many settings but can still affect treatment choice.
Pharmacokinetics: Pharmacokinetics describes how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates a drug. Nitrofurantoin's distribution and renal elimination account for its high urinary concentrations.
Bacterial nitroreductase: Bacterial nitroreductases are enzymes that reduce nitro groups in compounds using cellular electron donors. These enzymes activate nitrofurantoin into reactive intermediates inside susceptible bacteria.
Urinary tract infection: A urinary tract infection is microbial infection of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. Nitrofurantoin's main clinical role is treating and preventing selected lower urinary infections.
Fosfomycin: Fosfomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits an early step in bacterial cell-wall synthesis. It offers a single-dose oral alternative for some uncomplicated bladder infections.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is an inherited condition that can make red blood cells vulnerable to oxidative damage. Nitrofurantoin can trigger hemolysis in affected people, especially at higher risk.
Glomerular filtration rate: Glomerular filtration rate estimates how much blood the kidneys filter per unit of time. Reduced kidney function can lower urinary drug concentrations and affect nitrofurantoin use.

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