From the Guidelines
Nitrofurantoin does not typically cause diarrhea as its main side effect, though it can occasionally affect bowel movements. This antibiotic is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections and works by killing bacteria in the urinary system. While gastrointestinal side effects can occur, they more commonly include nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite rather than increased bowel movements. If you're taking nitrofurantoin and experiencing significant changes in bowel habits, this could be due to the medication's effect on gut bacteria, as antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of microorganisms in your digestive system 1. Some key points to consider when taking nitrofurantoin include:
- Taking the medication with food to reduce stomach upset
- Completing the full prescribed course, typically 5-7 days for uncomplicated UTIs
- Being aware of the potential for adverse events, such as pulmonary and hepatic toxicity, although these are extremely rare 1. It's also important to note that the American College of Physicians recommends prescribing short-course antibiotics, including nitrofurantoin, for the treatment of uncomplicated bacterial cystitis 1. If you experience severe diarrhea, especially with blood or mucus, contact your healthcare provider as this could indicate a more serious reaction requiring medical attention.
From the FDA Drug Label
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, emesis, and anorexia occur most often. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are less common gastrointestinal reactions. The FDA drug label mentions that diarrhea is a possible adverse reaction to Nitrofurantoin, which can be related to bowel movements or pooping. However, it does not explicitly state that Nitrofurantoin causes frequent bowel movements or pooping. 2 Key points:
- Diarrhea is a possible adverse reaction
- Abdominal pain is also a possible adverse reaction
- The label does not explicitly mention an increase in bowel movements or pooping as an adverse reaction.
From the Research
Nitrofurantoin and Gastrointestinal Effects
- Nitrofurantoin is commonly prescribed to treat urinary tract infections (UTI) and has been reported to have gastrointestinal side effects 3.
- The most commonly reported side effects of nitrofurantoin include gastrointestinal and central nervous system symptoms 4.
- However, there is no direct evidence in the provided studies that suggests nitrofurantoin causes diarrhea or makes you poop.
Comparison with Other Antibiotics
- Other antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and fosfomycin tromethamine have been compared to nitrofurantoin in terms of efficacy and side effects 4, 5.
- These studies suggest that nitrofurantoin is at least comparable to other common UTI treatments in terms of clinical and bacteriological cure, but may have fewer side effects 4.
Treatment of Traveler's Diarrhea
- The provided studies discuss the treatment of traveler's diarrhea with various antibiotics, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and rifaximin 6, 7, 5.
- However, nitrofurantoin is not mentioned as a treatment option for traveler's diarrhea in these studies.