nitrofural

Nitrofural (also known as nitrofurazone) is a topical antibacterial agent belonging to the nitrofuran class. It is effective against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and also exhibits antiprotozoal and antiparasitic activity. Nitrofural is primarily used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in superficial wounds, burns, ulcers, skin grafts, and other skin infections. It has also been used locally in the ear, eye, bladder, and for trypanosomiasis treatment. The drug acts by inhibiting several bacterial enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism—specifically those related to aerobic and anaerobic degradation of glucose and pyruvate—including pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase, malate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, and pyruvate decarboxylase; this interference disrupts DNA synthesis in microorganisms[1][2][5][7]. Nitrofural was previously approved for human use but most systemic uses have been withdrawn due to safety concerns; it remains available as a topical preparation.

Brand names

Furacin

Other names

nitrofurazone