{"id":635019,"date":"2026-01-14T18:35:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T23:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635019"},"modified":"2026-01-14T18:35:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T23:35:24","slug":"macrobid-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/macrobid-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the generic name for Macrobid?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macrobid<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>nitrofurantoin monohydrate<\/span>\/<\/span>macrocrystals<\/span>) is a <\/span>brand-name<\/span> prescription antibiotic drug <\/span>healthcare providers<\/span> prescribe to treat and prevent uncomplicated <\/span>urinary tract infections<\/span> (<\/span>UTIs<\/span>). It is typically a first-line treatment due to its ability to fight common <\/span>UTI<\/span>-causing <\/span>bacterial infections<\/span>, such as <\/span>Escherichia coli<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>E. coli<\/span><\/i>), and its lower rate of bacterial resistance. <\/span>Nitrofurantoin<\/span> is the generic version of <\/span>Macrobid<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Macrobid with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tMacrobid 100 mg (10 Capsules)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Macrobid prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Does <\/span>Macrobid<\/span> have a generic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, <\/span>nitrofurantoin monohydrate<\/span>\/<\/span>macrocrystals<\/span> is the generic version of <\/span>Macrobid<\/span>. It is an almost replica of the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug, containing the same active ingredient and <\/span>formulation<\/span> (capsules), but available at a much lower cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPatients 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 <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Macrobid<\/span> at some pharmacies,\u201d explains <\/span>David Ghozland, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and owner of <\/span>David Ghozland, MD<\/span><\/a>, in Orange, California. \u201cInsurance companies also promote generics, so patients want to know if switching is safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brand-name<\/span> drugs are typically more expensive than generics due to the process of creating the drug and getting it out to consumers. \u201cThe 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 <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drugs,\u201d says <\/span>Zergabachew Asfaw, MD, FACP<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified internal medicine physician, member of the clinical advisory committee at <\/span>Enable <\/span>Healthcare<\/span><\/a>, and owner of AZ Medical Services, P.C., in Bronx, New York. \u201cPharmaceutical companies have to spend and lose lots of money just to develop and get <\/span>FDA<\/span> approval for a drug.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Active patents can also impact the cost of <\/span>brand-name<\/span> prescription drugs,<\/span> such as <\/span>Macrobid<\/span>. 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. \u201cOnce 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,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does \u201cgeneric\u201d really mean for medications?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cA generic medication is equivalent to the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> medication in terms of the active ingredient, <\/span>dosage form<\/span>, strength, route of administration, and safety,\u201d Dr. Asfaw says. Generics and <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drugs may differ only in inactive ingredients, color, shape, and, most importantly, cost. Generics typically become available after a pharmaceutical company\u2019s patent has expired, allowing other manufacturers to produce them at a lower price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite generics having the same quality as their <\/span>brand-name<\/span> equivalents, they often get a bad reputation. \u201cOne misconception people have is that generics are weaker or less effective,\u201d Dr. Asfaw says. \u201cI always tell patients that generics may have their own differences, but they all have to be approved by the <\/span>FDA<\/span> to be sold. In fact, most patients are the same in their response to the generic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another misconception is that lower cost means lower medication quality. \u201cI often hear concerns about manufacturing quality or increased <\/span>side effects<\/span>, but none of this is true because the <\/span>FDA<\/span> mandates the same manufacturing standards for all medications,\u201d Dr. Ghozland says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Ghozland also notes that the appearance of generics can be off-putting for patients. \u201cSome 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,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another factor to consider when comparing generics to <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drugs is the distinction between bioequivalence and therapeutic equivalence. \u201cBioequivalence means the generic releases the same amount of active ingredient into your bloodstream at the same rate as the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug,\u201d Dr. Ghozland explains. \u201cThe <\/span>FDA<\/span> requires generic drugs to perform within 80% to 125% of the <\/span>brand name<\/span>. Therapeutic equivalence confirms that the generic produces the same clinical results and safety profile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The rigorous process of generic drug approval<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drugs, generics must undergo a rigorous approval process before they can be prescribed to patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below is a breakdown of the <\/span>process<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The generic must be the same <\/span>formulation<\/span> (i.e., tablet, capsule, injectable, powder, or <\/span>oral suspension<\/span>) and use the same time-release technology (immediate- or extended-release).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. The manufacturer of the generic must prove to the <\/span>FDA<\/span> that they are capable of producing the medication correctly.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. The manufacturer must explain how they\u2019ll manufacture the generic and prove that each step of the process consistently produces the same result.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. The active ingredient must be identical to the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug they\u2019re copying, and they must show the evidence to the <\/span>FDA<\/span> for review.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. 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 <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. The manufacturer must submit evidence that the generic\u2019s inactive ingredients are safe for consumers.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. The generic must undergo months-long \u201cstability testing\u201d to demonstrate that it lasts for a reasonable period.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. The manufacturer must prove that the container in which the generic will be shipped and sold won\u2019t cause deterioration.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. The generic label should be identical to the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> version.<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. The relevant patents or legal exclusivities of the <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drug must have expired before the generic version can be marketed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Although it may seem like an intensive approval process, it offers significant benefits to patients. \u201cCompleting the process allows us to offer patients the ability to access medications that are both high-quality and low-cost,\u201d Dr. Asfaw explains. \u201cIn my case, transferring patients from more expensive <\/span>brand-name<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What is the active ingredient in <\/span>Macrobid<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Nitrofurantoin<\/span> is the active ingredient in <\/span>Macrobid<\/span> and its generic equivalents. It is a <\/span>synthetic antimicrobial<\/span><\/a> that concentrates in the lower urinary tract and kills bacteria through a multi-faceted mechanism of action that damages their genetic components.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Why \u201c<\/span>macrocrystals<\/span>\u201d?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Macrobid<\/span> and its generic versions contain two forms of nitrofurantoin: <\/span>macrocrystals<\/span> (or <\/span>macrocrystalline<\/span>) and monohydrate, Dr. Ghozland explains. \u201cThis <\/span>formulation<\/span> causes less nausea and stomach upset because the drug releases gradually instead of all at once,\u201d he says. \u201c<\/span>Macrobid<\/span> contains two forms that work together to maintain effective levels in your urinary tract while being easier on your digestive system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Comparing <\/span>Macrobid<\/span> and its generic<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Below is a comparison table of <\/span>Macrobid<\/span> versus its generic equivalent, <\/span>nitrofurantoin<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Brand vs. generic <\/span>Macrobid<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

    <\/td>\nBrand-name<\/b> Macrobid<\/b><\/td>\nMacrobid<\/b> generic (<\/b>nitrofurantoin<\/b>)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cost<\/b> (with SingleCare discount)<\/span><\/td>\n$60 for 10, 100 mg <\/span>oral capsules<\/span><\/a> at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n$6 for 10, 100 mg <\/span>oral capsules<\/span> <\/a>at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Appearance<\/span><\/td>\nBlack and yellow capsules with \u201c<\/span>Macrobid<\/span>\u201d imprinted on one side and a number on the other<\/span><\/td>\nVarious colors, such as brown and yellow; black and yellow\/beige; gray; yellow and white; and brown capsules with imprinted numbers\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Inactive ingredients<\/b><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • Corn starch<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Carbomer homopolymer type B<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Povidone<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Gelatin<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Colorants (dyes)<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Magnesium stearate<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Talc<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Titanium dioxide<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Compressible sugar (sucrose)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Corn starch<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Gelatin<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Lactose <\/span>monohydrate<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Magnesium stearate<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Povidone<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Propylene<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Shellac<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Sodium lauryl sulfate<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Talc<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Titanium dioxide<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Inactive ingredients may vary by manufacturer<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Usual dosage\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n100 mg twice a day<\/span><\/td>\n100 mg twice a day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Accessibility<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable at local pharmacies, online pharmacies, and through telehealth services<\/span><\/td>\nAvailable at local pharmacies, online pharmacies, and through telehealth services<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Alternatives to <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Macrobid<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> believes <\/span>Macrobid<\/span> may be unsafe due to its <\/span>common side effects<\/span> (i.e., <\/span>loss of appetite<\/span>, <\/span>mild diarrhea<\/span>, weakness, vertigo, and <\/span>stomach pain<\/span>), <\/span>drug interactions<\/span>, <\/span>contraindications<\/span>, or other reasons, there are alternatives available that may be appropriate, but only your healthcare provider can recommend a different medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Below are some alternatives to <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Macrobid<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n