-
Nitrofurantoin
- indication:May be used as an alternative in the treatment of urinary tract infections. May be used by females pericoitally for prophylaxis against recurrent cystitis related to coitus.
- pharmacologypharmacology:
- mechanism: Nitrofurantoin is activated by bacterial flavoproteins (nitrofuran reductase) to active reduced reactive intermediates that are thought to modulate and damage ribosomal proteins or other macromolecules, especially DNA, causing inhibition of DNA, RNA, protein, and cell wall synthesis. The overall effect is inhibition of bacterial growth or cell death.
- toxicity: Acute toxicity may cause vomiting. Adverse effects include nausea and urine discolouration. Rare hepatotoxic and hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Hemolytic anemia is a risk in patients with G6PD deficiency. Ascending polyneuropathy may occur with prolonged therapy or in patients with low creatinine clearance.
- absorprion: Readily absorbed in GI tract primarily in small intestine. Enhanced by food or delayed gastric emptying via enhanced dissolution rate of the drug.
- halflife: 0.3-1 hour
- roouteelimination:
- volumedistribution:
- clearance: