Nitrofurantoin 100 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Urinary tract infections such as cystitis (bladder infection) – burning, frequent urination; Preventing repeated urinary infections with a low nightly dose, on a doctor's advice.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.94 to ₹21.89 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrofurantoin Tablets I.P 100mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹16.50 | ₹1.65 | 19 October 2026 |
| Furadantin 100 | Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹9.38 | ₹0.94 | 19 October 2026 |
| Nitrobest SR | Lupin Ltd | 10 | ₹84.56 | ₹8.46 | 19 October 2026 |
| Nifutin SR | Ipca Laboratories Ltd | 10 | ₹86.63 | ₹8.66 | 19 October 2026 |
| Uribid | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 15 | ₹130.65 | ₹8.71 | 19 October 2026 |
| Niftas SR | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 14 | ₹122.01 | ₹8.71 | 19 October 2026 |
| Martifur MR 100 | Walter Bushnell | 10 | ₹218.89 | ₹21.89 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Urinary tract infections such as cystitis (bladder infection) – burning, frequent urination.
- Preventing repeated urinary infections with a low nightly dose, on a doctor's advice.
- A single dose before procedures on the urinary tract, as prescribed.
- A preferred antibiotic for bladder infections in pregnancy before 36 weeks, when a doctor chooses it.
How to take it
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg is usually taken twice a day for sustained-release (SR/MR) tablets, or 50 to 100 mg four times a day for plain tablets, as your doctor prescribes. Take it with food or a glass of milk – this improves absorption and reduces nausea. Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew SR tablets. Space doses evenly. Courses are usually 3 to 7 days for a bladder infection; finish the course even if the burning stops earlier. Drink plenty of water. If you get a new cough or breathlessness, numbness in the limbs or yellow eyes, stop and see your doctor.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea or loss of appetite.
- Diarrhoea.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Dark yellow or brown urine – harmless.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Lung reaction – new cough, breathlessness, fever or chest tightness; more likely with long-term use. Stop and see a doctor.
- Liver problems – yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, hepatitis.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hands or feet – nerve damage; risk higher with kidney disease or long use.
- Severe allergic reaction, or unexplained bruising, bleeding and fever.
Safety information
Alcohol
Alcohol does not react with nitrofurantoin, but it dehydrates and irritates the bladder, so avoid it until the infection has cleared.
Pregnancy
Nitrofurantoin is often used for bladder infections in pregnancy up to around 36 weeks. It is avoided near delivery because it can affect the baby's red blood cells. Usually fine in breastfeeding, except if the baby is under a month or has G6PD deficiency; check with your doctor.
Kidney problems
Not suitable if your kidneys are significantly weak (low eGFR) – the drug will not reach the urine in useful amounts and side effects rise. Tell your doctor about any kidney disease.
Liver problems
Not for people who have had liver problems from nitrofurantoin before. Report yellow eyes or dark urine promptly.
Children
Can be used in children over 3 months, with the dose worked out by weight, on prescription. The 100 mg tablet is an adult dose.
Missed dose
Take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due – then skip it. Never take two doses together.
Interactions
- Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate – reduce absorption; take apart.
- Quinolone antibiotics (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin) – work against nitrofurantoin; do not combine.
- Urine-alkalinising sachets (Cital, potassium citrate) – make nitrofurantoin less effective; ask your doctor before using them for the burning.
- Acetazolamide and probenecid – alter nitrofurantoin levels in urine.
- Typhoid oral vaccine – nitrofurantoin can reduce its effect; separate them.
Frequently asked questions
Martifur MR 100 before or after food?
After food, or with a glass of milk. Food improves absorption and reduces nausea, which is the most common complaint with nitrofurantoin.
Niftran vs Martifur vs Uribid – are they the same?
Yes, all contain nitrofurantoin 100 mg. Niftran is a capsule, Martifur MR and Niftas SR are slow-release tablets taken twice a day, and Uribid is a plain tablet. Follow the dosing your doctor gives for the specific brand.
How many days should I take nitrofurantoin for a urine infection?
Usually 3 to 7 days for a simple bladder infection, as your doctor decides. Finish the whole course even if the burning stops on day two.
Is nitrofurantoin safe in pregnancy?
It is one of the preferred antibiotics for bladder infections in pregnancy and is used up to around 36 weeks. It is avoided close to delivery. Always tell your doctor you are pregnant.
Why is my urine dark brown on nitrofurantoin?
Nitrofurantoin colours the urine dark yellow or brown. This is harmless and goes away when the course ends. Drink plenty of water.
Can I take Cital or potassium citrate with nitrofurantoin?
Better not without asking your doctor. These sachets make urine alkaline, which makes nitrofurantoin work less well. Plain water is the best help for the burning.
Can I take nitrofurantoin with alcohol?
There is no direct reaction, but alcohol dehydrates you and irritates the bladder, so it is best avoided until the infection has cleared.
Does nitrofurantoin work for kidney infection?
No. It reaches good levels only in the bladder, not the kidney tissue or blood. Fever, back pain and chills with a urine infection need a different antibiotic – see a doctor.
Is nitrofurantoin available without prescription in India?
No. It is a Schedule H antibiotic and should be dispensed only against a prescription. Generic nitrofurantoin 100 mg is available at Jan Aushadhi stores.
Sources
- NHS – Nitrofurantoin (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms