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Key takeaways
The generic name of the brand-name Macrobid is nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals, which contains the same active ingredient, formulation, and safety profile as the brand-name product.
Before becoming publicly available, drug companies that produce generic versions of Macrobid must undergo a rigorous approval process for their drugs.
The primary differences between brand-name Macrobid and its generic counterpart are the inactive ingredients, appearance, dosage availability, and cost.
Macrobid (nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals) is a brand-name prescription antibiotic drug healthcare providers prescribe to treat and prevent uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is typically a first-line treatment due to its ability to fight common UTI-causing bacterial infections, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), and its lower rate of bacterial resistance. Nitrofurantoin is the generic version of Macrobid.
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Does Macrobid have a generic?
Yes, nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals is the generic version of Macrobid. It is an almost replica of the brand-name drug, containing the same active ingredient and formulation (capsules), but available at a much lower cost.
“Patients ask about generics mostly because of money, and those who are paying out of pocket usually spend $15 to $40 for the generic compared to $200 or more for brand-name Macrobid at some pharmacies,” explains David Ghozland, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and owner of David Ghozland, MD, in Orange, California. “Insurance companies also promote generics, so patients want to know if switching is safe.”
Brand-name drugs are typically more expensive than generics due to the process of creating the drug and getting it out to consumers. “The main costs in the production of a new medicine come from the initial steps of research and the lengthy and costly (in both money and time) clinical trial process, especially when it comes to brand-name drugs,” says Zergabachew Asfaw, MD, FACP, a board-certified internal medicine physician, member of the clinical advisory committee at Enable Healthcare, and owner of AZ Medical Services, P.C., in Bronx, New York. “Pharmaceutical companies have to spend and lose lots of money just to develop and get FDA approval for a drug.”
Active patents can also impact the cost of brand-name prescription drugs, such as Macrobid. Dr. Ghozland says that drug companies can hold patents for a set number of years to recoup their investment in the medication, which can fund further research. “Once patents expire, generic companies can make the same drug cheaper because they skip the research process and only need to prove their version works the same way,” he says.
What does “generic” really mean for medications?
“A generic medication is equivalent to the brand-name medication in terms of the active ingredient, dosage form, strength, route of administration, and safety,” Dr. Asfaw says. Generics and brand-name drugs may differ only in inactive ingredients, color, shape, and, most importantly, cost. Generics typically become available after a pharmaceutical company’s patent has expired, allowing other manufacturers to produce them at a lower price.
Despite generics having the same quality as their brand-name equivalents, they often get a bad reputation. “One misconception people have is that generics are weaker or less effective,” Dr. Asfaw says. “I always tell patients that generics may have their own differences, but they all have to be approved by the FDA to be sold. In fact, most patients are the same in their response to the generic.”
Another misconception is that lower cost means lower medication quality. “I often hear concerns about manufacturing quality or increased side effects, but none of this is true because the FDA mandates the same manufacturing standards for all medications,” Dr. Ghozland says.
Dr. Ghozland also notes that the appearance of generics can be off-putting for patients. “Some patients see different pill colors or shapes and assume that means lower quality, but it’s only a distinction between different manufacturers and has nothing to do with how well the drug works,” he says.
Another factor to consider when comparing generics to brand-name drugs is the distinction between bioequivalence and therapeutic equivalence. “Bioequivalence means the generic releases the same amount of active ingredient into your bloodstream at the same rate as the brand-name drug,” Dr. Ghozland explains. “The FDA requires generic drugs to perform within 80% to 125% of the brand name. Therapeutic equivalence confirms that the generic produces the same clinical results and safety profile.”
The rigorous process of generic drug approval
Like brand-name drugs, generics must undergo a rigorous approval process before they can be prescribed to patients.
Below is a breakdown of the process:
- The generic must be the same formulation (i.e., tablet, capsule, injectable, powder, or oral suspension) and use the same time-release technology (immediate- or extended-release).
- The manufacturer of the generic must prove to the FDA that they are capable of producing the medication correctly.
- The manufacturer must explain how they’ll manufacture the generic and prove that each step of the process consistently produces the same result.
- The active ingredient must be identical to the brand-name drug they’re copying, and they must show the evidence to the FDA for review.
- The manufacturer must conduct research demonstrating that the same amount of the generic drug reaches the bloodstream and does so around the same time as the brand-name drug.
- The manufacturer must submit evidence that the generic’s inactive ingredients are safe for consumers.
- The generic must undergo months-long “stability testing” to demonstrate that it lasts for a reasonable period.
- The manufacturer must prove that the container in which the generic will be shipped and sold won’t cause deterioration.
- The generic label should be identical to the brand-name version.
- The relevant patents or legal exclusivities of the brand-name drug must have expired before the generic version can be marketed.
Although it may seem like an intensive approval process, it offers significant benefits to patients. “Completing the process allows us to offer patients the ability to access medications that are both high-quality and low-cost,” Dr. Asfaw explains. “In my case, transferring patients from more expensive brand-name medications to the cheaper, generic alternatives ensures better switches. The better switches lead to better outcomes, particularly in cases that require treatment to be repeated, such as recurrent UTIs.
What is the active ingredient in Macrobid?
Nitrofurantoin is the active ingredient in Macrobid and its generic equivalents. It is a synthetic antimicrobial that concentrates in the lower urinary tract and kills bacteria through a multi-faceted mechanism of action that damages their genetic components.
Why “macrocrystals”?
Macrobid and its generic versions contain two forms of nitrofurantoin: macrocrystals (or macrocrystalline) and monohydrate, Dr. Ghozland explains. “This formulation causes less nausea and stomach upset because the drug releases gradually instead of all at once,” he says. “Macrobid contains two forms that work together to maintain effective levels in your urinary tract while being easier on your digestive system.”
Comparing Macrobid and its generic
Below is a comparison table of Macrobid versus its generic equivalent, nitrofurantoin.
Brand vs. generic Macrobid |
||
|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Macrobid | Macrobid generic (nitrofurantoin) | |
| Cost (with SingleCare discount) | $60 for 10, 100 mg oral capsules at Kroger | $6 for 10, 100 mg oral capsules at Kroger |
| Appearance | Black and yellow capsules with “Macrobid” imprinted on one side and a number on the other | Various colors, such as brown and yellow; black and yellow/beige; gray; yellow and white; and brown capsules with imprinted numbers |
| Inactive ingredients |
|
Inactive ingredients may vary by manufacturer |
| Usual dosage | 100 mg twice a day | 100 mg twice a day |
| Accessibility | Available at local pharmacies, online pharmacies, and through telehealth services | Available at local pharmacies, online pharmacies, and through telehealth services |
Alternatives to brand-name Macrobid
If your healthcare provider believes Macrobid may be unsafe due to its common side effects (i.e., loss of appetite, mild diarrhea, weakness, vertigo, and stomach pain), drug interactions, contraindications, or other reasons, there are alternatives available that may be appropriate, but only your healthcare provider can recommend a different medication.
Below are some alternatives to brand-name Macrobid:
- Amoxicillin
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
- Keflex (cephalexin)
- Levaquin (levofloxacin)
- Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin macrocrystals)
- Monurol (fosfomycin tromethamine)
- Septra or Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim)
Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have any questions or concerns about Macrobid or its alternatives.
Expert takeaway
Whether you take Macrobid or its generic version (nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals), it is important to finish the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if your symptoms start to improve.
The SingleCare prices in this article are accurate as of December 23, 2025, for the ZIP code 23666 at the time of publication. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Macrobid coupon page for updated Macrobid prices near you.
- What is the approval process for generic drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2025)
- Nitrofurantoin, StatPearls (2023)
- David Ghozland, MD of David Ghozland, MD
- Zergabachew Asfaw, MD, FACP of Enable Healthcare