Order Nitrofurantoin Tablets Online UK
You can order nitrofurantoin tablets online from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. This is used to treat cystitis, which is a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly in women.
Once you have completed the online doctor consultation, our doctors will review your assessment and prescribe the medicine if safe to do so. Our pharmacy team will then dispense and dispatch your prescription to your door.
What is Nitrofurantoin?
It’s an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections such as UTIs. Each tablet contains nitrofurantoin 50mg. In the UK, nitrofurantoin is a prescription-only medicine and must be prescribed by a doctor or healthcare professional.
It can be used to treat or prevent UTIs. Some people have recurrent infections and are then prescribed nitrofurantoin daily for several months to prevent future infections.
How does it work?
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) such as cystitis and kidney infections. It’s useful for UTIs because the drug is filtered into the urine and can work at the site of infection in the urinary tract.
It’s effective against most bacteria that can cause UTIs and works by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
How long does it take Nitrofurantoin to work?
Improvement in symptoms can begin in as little as 24 hours, however to completely clear cystitis, it can take up to three days of treatment. Always finish your prescribed course of antibiotics to ensure all the bacteria has been cleared. If you are still experiencing any symptoms after three days of treatment, it is important that you speak to your doctor.
About Cystitis
Cystitis occurs when bacteria enters the normally sterile bladder. This leads to inflammation and irritation. The major symptoms of cystitis are:
- The urge to urinate frequently
- Pain when urinating
- Irritation and burning when urinating
- Dark or cloudy urine
- Urine with a strong smell
If you experience any lower back or flank pain while you have cystitis symptoms it could be a sign of a more serious kidney infection. You must seek medical attention immediately if this happens.
How to take Nitrofurantoin
The nitrofurantoin dosage depends on the type of infection the medicine is treating. For cystitis, the usual dose is 50mg taken 4 times a day for 3 days. However, you should always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to.
The tablets should always be taken with food or milk, this helps the medicine work more effectively. Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your problem could come back.
Nitrofurantoin summary
| Dose |
Take ONE tablet FOUR times a day for THREE days. Take with or after food. |
| Type of medicine |
Antibiotic tablet |
| Mechanism |
Kills bacteria in the bladder causing the infection |
| Active Ingredient |
50mg Nitrofurantoin |
| Price |
From £11.99 |
| Side Effects |
Can include stomach upset, headache, nausea, darkened urine (normal) |
Cystitis alternatives
There are several antibiotics used to treat UTIs. This includes trimethoprim, fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, amoxicillin, and cefalexin.
Cystitis is considered to be a mild infection and can often get better within a few days. However, sometimes antibiotics are needed to clear the infection. A modified-release nitrofurantoin capsule version is commonly prescribed for cystitis. This is known as the brand name Macrobid. Each Macrobid capsule contains nitrofurantoin 100mg.
Trimethoprim is another antibiotic commonly used to treat cystitis. This also works to kill the bacteria causing cystitis and clear the infection.
Nitrofurantoin Side Effects
This medicine can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain and headache. It can also cause your urine to change colour and become dark yellow or brown. This is normal and you should continue to take it as your doctor has prescribed.
Other side effects can be more serious. This includes jaundice, lung problems, cyanosis, and raised pressure in the skull. See section 4 of the patient information leaflet for a complete list of side effects, including serious side effects. If you experience any serious side effects, you should call your doctor immediately.