| Strength | Quantity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 6 capsules | £19.00 |  |
Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 21/04/2021
MacroBID is an antibiotic containing nitrofurantoin which is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis symptoms
When you take MacroBID, it is filtered through the body directly to the urine where it works by killing the bacteria causing infection.
MacroBID will typically start to relieve your symptoms within a few days. You'll usually take it for three days and it's important to finish the course of tablets even after you feel better to ensure that the infection is completely gone.
Nitrofurantoin 100mg modified release is the active ingredient in MacroBID.
This modified release formulation can be taken less frequently than an immediate release formulation, but is just as effective at treating infection.
The inactive ingredients are talc, corn starch, lactose, carbopol, povidone, sugar and magnesium stearate.
MacroBID is usually taken twice a day for three days. You should leave 12 hours between your morning and evening dose. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, and preferably with food. It is important to swallow the tablets whole, as crushing or dividing the tablets can cause them to be absorbed too quickly, which could be harmful.
MacroBID is usually given as a 100mg dose taken twice a day. It’s typically prescribed as a three-day course to treat symptoms of urinary tract infection in women.
MacroBID should be swallowed whole with the capsules intact. If they are crushed or split before taking them then this may prevent the medicine from being absorbed correctly by the body, lessening the effectiveness of the drug.
If you take an overdose of MacroBID then speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Like all medicines, MacroBID can cause side effects. Most of them are mild and disappear once you’ve finished the course. you stop taking MacroBID.
Please note that while taking MacroBID your urine may become dark yellow or brown in colour. This is quite normal and not a reason to stop taking the medicine.
Stop taking MacroBID immediately if you experience symptoms of allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, eyes or lips, a rash affecting your whole body.
If you notice any of the following side effects consult your doctor immediately:
Other side effects are:
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
You shouldn't take MacroBID if you:
Consult your doctor if:
The following medicines may interact with MacroBID:
Drinking lots of water, in small frequent sips, will help to maintain your fluid intake if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea. Get plenty of rest and don't overexert yourself. Painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen can be taken alongside MacroBID for headaches. Keep eating small meals at your usual times if your appetite has disappeared and avoid rich, spicy food if you become nauseous. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking MacroBID.
Drinking alcohol will not have an effect on MacroBID. However, it's advised that you avoid drinking alcohol if you have a urinary tract infection. It is important to stay hydrated if you have a UTI and alcohol can make a UTI worse.
It's generally safe to take MacroBID during pregnancy but it should not be taken too close to childbirth as it may have an effect on the baby's blood. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then check with your doctor before taking MacroBID.
MacroBID could cause thrush if it is used continuously, for example for repeated bouts of UTIs. If this happens then speak to your doctor or pharmacist for appropriate treatment.
Nitrofurantoin is the generic name for the antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections. MacroBID is a brand of nitrofurantoin so it contains the same active ingredient. MacroBID is a modified-release version of nitrofurantoin meaning it only needs to be taken twice a day to have the same effect.
There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting a UTI. Drinking plenty of water flushes out the urethra and dilutes the urine, getting rid of bacteria. Clear, light yellow urine is a healthy sign that your body is adequately hydrated. After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back and pass urine as soon as possible after sexual intercourse. Avoid feminine hygiene products like deodorants, scented soaps and douches as they can cause irritation. If you use a diaphragm or a spermicide method of contraception then you may wish to consider an alternative.
Cranberries contain a substance called A-type proanthocyanidins which are thought to prevent bacteria from attaching to the urethra. There are some studies which suggest that drinking cranberry juice regularly can help to manage UTIs but there’s not much conclusive evidence. Cranberry juice also has a high sugar content so it should be drunk in conjunction with a balanced diet.
MacroBID is an antibiotic used to treat UTIs (urinary tract infections.) The generic name for this medicine is nitrofurantoin and it is filtered out of your blood into the urine so it can kill the bacteria in the urethra.
MacroBID can also be prescribed to treat a kidney infection however if you think you have a kidney infection you should seek medical advice, these infections can be serious and may require stronger antibiotics than MacroBID.
MacroBID is generally only used for urinary tract infections. Your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate antibiotic to treat your infection.
Nitrofurantoin does not stop your contraception from working. However, you’re advised to avoid sex until your symptoms have completely cleared up, to maximise the effectiveness of treatment.
Modified release means that the drug is released into your body over a prolonged period of time. This is in contrast to an immediate-release drug such as trimethoprim. The modified release has the advantage of requiring to be taken less frequently than an immediate-release formulation while having the same effect.
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