{"id":627598,"date":"2024-04-18T09:30:15","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627598"},"modified":"2025-04-15T14:45:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T18:45:58","slug":"foods-to-avoid-while-taking-nitrofurantoin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/foods-to-avoid-while-taking-nitrofurantoin\/","title":{"rendered":"4 foods to avoid while taking nitrofurantoin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nitrofurantoin<\/a> is an antibiotic used to <\/span>treat urinary tract infections (UTIs)<\/span><\/a>. This generic medication is also sold under the brand names <\/span>Macrodantin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Macrobid<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019ve recently been prescribed a course of this antibiotic, you might be wondering what foods to avoid while taking nitrofurantoin. The good news is that there are no known foods that react with or reduce the absorption of nitrofurantoin. However, you may still want to avoid bladder-irritating foods until your UTI clears up, such as acidic and spicy foods.<\/span><\/p>\n

How nitrofurantoin works<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/span>Nitrofurantoin<\/span> is an antibiotic used to prevent recurring urinary tract infections or short-term treatment of certain urinary tract infections,\u201d says <\/span>Christina Bookwalter, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, BCPS, BCACP, a clinical pharmacist practitioner in Minneapolis. Nitrofurantoin is often prescribed for bacterial infections in the urinary tract because it <\/span>concentrates in the bladder and urethra<\/span><\/a>. By acting locally, it kills infection-causing bacteria in the urinary tract without significantly interfering with the bowel microbiome. However, this drug can pass into a nursing woman\u2019s milk supply, so other UTI antibiotic treatments may be preferred for <\/span>breastfeeding mothers<\/span><\/a>. The risks and benefits of nitrofurantoin use while breastfeeding should be discussed with your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Bookwalter, nitrofurantoin works quickly. Bladder infection symptoms often improve within 48 hours, though it is important to finish the full course of prescribed treatment to prevent recurrence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nitrofurantoin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

4 foods to avoid with nitrofurantoin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Food does not impact the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin. However, says Inna Melamed, Pharm.D., a functional medicine practitioner and author of Digestive Reset, certain foods should be avoided when you have a UTI to avoid worsening symptoms<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>The list below outlines four foods that should be avoided.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Acidic foods and drinks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can <\/span>irritate your bladder<\/span><\/a>, and the same goes for acidic drinks such as coffee and orange juice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about it: When a part of your body is infected, you want to avoid irritating the area. An irritated bladder could exacerbate <\/span>UTI symptoms<\/span><\/a> such as painful urination or a frequent urge to urinate.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Spicy foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

Consider taking a break from spicy foods while taking nitrofurantoin. The reason is that spicy food can cause or aggravate indigestion and stomach pain\u2014common <\/span>side effects of nitrofurantoin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alcohol, like spicy foods, can exacerbate gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Drinking alcohol can also cause dizziness, which is another common side effect of nitrofurantoin. It\u2019s best practice to <\/span>avoid mixing alcohol with antibiotics<\/span><\/a> since combining them may increase your risk of side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Caffeine<\/span><\/h3>\n

Though there\u2019s no direct interaction between nitrofurantoin and caffeine, consuming too much caffeine can make UTI symptoms worse. That\u2019s because <\/span>caffeine<\/span><\/a> is linked to bladder overactivity. If you have a UTI, reducing or eliminating caffeine temporarily may help soothe urinary urgency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line: It\u2019s important to remember that you are avoiding these foods because they may worsen UTI symptoms or nitrofurantoin side effects, not because they diminish the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin. There are no major drug-food interactions with nitrofurantoin. If your UTI symptoms have subsided, you can eat and drink what you want\u2014tomatoes, cheese, eggs, bananas, jalapenos, and coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Herbs and supplements to avoid with nitrofurantoin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nitrofurantoin has relatively few interactions with supplements. However, Dr. Melamed stresses that nitrofurantoin should not be taken with antacids that contain magnesium. That\u2019s because drug interactions between nitrofurantoin and magnesium trisilicate can impede your body\u2019s ability to absorb the antibiotic.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, it\u2019s a good idea to keep a list of the medications, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you take. Show this list to your healthcare provider and ask if you should avoid or temporarily limit anything while taking nitrofurantoin.<\/span><\/p>\n

What should you eat while taking nitrofurantoin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt is best to take nitrofurantoin with food to ensure your body absorbs the drug. This allows it to work properly to treat the infection,\u201d says Dr. Bookwalter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The best things to eat while taking nitrofurantoin are foods that may help <\/span>relieve your UTI symptoms<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Cranberries<\/span><\/a>, along with healthy, <\/span>antioxidant-rich foods<\/span><\/a> such as blueberries, dark chocolate, broccoli, and spinach, may help relieve UTI symptoms and prevent recurrent UTIs. However, these foods are not a substitute for an antibiotic to treat a UTI.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to eat probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi when you are on antibiotics. Probiotics <\/span>can help prevent diarrhea<\/span><\/a> caused by a disrupted intestinal microbiome. While Dr. Melamed recommends probiotics while taking antibiotics, she recommends spacing out your probiotic and antibiotic intake\u2014eating yogurt with breakfast and taking your antibiotic at lunch, for instance.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to stay well hydrated with water when treating a UTI. Fluids help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice, along with plenty of water, between each dose of nitrofurantoin. However, people with certain medical conditions like kidney, liver, or heart disease may have to limit their fluid intake. If you have these conditions, talk to your provider before changing how much you drink.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Gastrointestinal side effects of nitrofurantoin<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not unusual for antibiotics like nitrofurantoin to cause diarrhea. <\/span>Antibiotic-related diarrhea<\/span><\/a> is typically caused by a disruption in the gut microbiome\u2014the balance of good and bad intestinal bacteria. You may experience more frequent or looser stools while taking nitrofurantoin. The diarrhea should go away after you have finished the prescribed course of treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other <\/span>side effects caused by nitrofurantoin<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n