nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibiotic used primarily to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections. It works by being rapidly reduced inside bacterial cells by flavoproteins (nitrofuran reductase) to multiple reactive intermediates that damage bacterial DNA and attack ribosomal proteins, respiration pathways, pyruvate metabolism, and other macromolecules. This multi-targeted mechanism inhibits several biochemical and synthetic processes in the bacterial cell and contributes to its low rate of acquired resistance. Nitrofurantoin is concentrated in the urine after oral administration, making it especially effective for lower urinary tract infections but not for kidney infections[1][5][6][8]. The drug was first approved in 1953.

Brand names

MacrobidMacrodantinFuradantinNitro Macro

Other names

nitrofurantoin