Nitrofurantoin 25mg-5ml oral suspension

Summary of Product Characteristics Updated 05-Jul-2023 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd

1. Name of the medicinal product

Nitrofurantoin 25mg/5ml Oral Suspension

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each 5 ml oral suspension contains 25 mg Nitrofurantoin (as monohydrate)

Excipients with known effect:

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate

Glycerol

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3. Pharmaceutical form

Oral Suspension

A yellow suspension with characteristic apricot odour.

4. Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications

Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension is indicated for the treatment of and prophylaxis against acute or recurrent, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections either spontaneous or following surgical procedures when due to susceptible micro-organisms (see section 4.4 and 5.1). It is indicated in adults and children over 3 months of age.

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Dosage:

Adults

Acute Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections: 50mg four times daily for seven days.

Severe Chronic Recurrence: 100mg four times day for seven days.

Long Term Suppression: 50mg - 100mg once a day.

Prophylaxis: 50mg four times daily for the duration of procedure and 3 days thereafter.

Paediatric population

Children and Infants over three months of age

Acute Urinary Tract Infections: 3mg/kg/day in four divided doses for seven days.

Suppressive: 1mg/kg, once a day.

Elderly

Provided there is no significant renal impairment, in which Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated, the dosage should be that for any normal adult. See precaution and risks to elderly patients associated with long term therapy (section 4.8).

Renal impairment

Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated in patients with renal dysfunction and in patients with an eGFR of less than 45 ml/minute (see sections 4.3 & 4.4).

Method of administration:

For oral use.

It is recommended to shake well before use, until complete resuspension.

This medicine should always be taken with food or milk. Taking Nitrofurantoin with a meal improves absorption and is important for optimal efficacy.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin, other nitrofurans or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Patients suffering from renal dysfunction with an eGFR below 45 ml/minute.

G6PD deficiency (see also section 4.6).

In infants under three months of age as well as pregnant patients at term (during labour and delivery) because of the theoretical possibility of haemolytic anaemia in the foetus or in the newborn infant due to immature erythrocyte enzyme systems.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Hepatotoxicity

Hepatic reactions, including hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis, occur rarely. Fatalities have been reported. The onset of chronic active hepatitis may be insidious, and patients should be monitored periodically for changes in biochemical tests that would indicate liver injury. If hepatitis occurs, the drug should be withdrawn immediately and appropriate measures should be taken.

Pulmonary adverse reactions

Acute, subacute and chronic pulmonary reactions have been observed in patients treated with nitrofurantoin. If these reactions occur, nitrofurantoin should be discontinued immediately. Signs of pulmonary damage include difficulty and or pain when breathing, shortness of breath and coughing up blood or mucus.

Chronic pulmonary reactions

Chronic pulmonary reactions (including pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse interstitial pneumonitis) can develop insidiously, and may occur commonly in elderly patients. Close monitoring of the pulmonary conditions of patients receiving long-term therapy is warranted (especially in the elderly).

Acute pulmonary reactions

Pulmonary reactions may be acute and usually occur within the first week of treatment. Increased vigilance for respiratory symptoms in patients who have just started therapy is warranted (especially in the elderly).

Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension is not effective for the treatment of parenchymal infections of unilaterally non-functioning kidney. A surgical cause for infection should be excluded in recurrent or severe cases.

Nitrofurantoin may be used with caution as short-course therapy only for the treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection in individual cases with an eGFR between 30-44 ml/min to treat resistant pathogens, when the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks.

Since pre-existing conditions may mask adverse reactions, Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension should be used with caution in patients with pulmonary disease, hepatic dysfunction, neurological disorders, and allergic diathesis.

Peripheral neuropathy and susceptibility to peripheral neuropathy, which may become severe or irreversible, has occurred and may be life threatening. Therefore, treatment should be stopped at the first signs of neural involvement (paraesthesia).

Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension should be used with caution in patients with anaemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, debilitating conditions and Vitamin B (particularly folate) deficiency.

Patients should be monitored closely for signs of hepatitis (particularly in long terms use).

Urine may be coloured yellow or brown after taking Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension. Patients on Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension are susceptible to false positive urinary glucose (if tested for reducing substances).

Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension should be discontinued at any sign of haemolysis in those with suspected glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Discontinue treatment with Nitrofurantoin if otherwise unexplained pulmonary, hepatic, haematological or neurological syndromes occur.

Excipient Warnings

This product contains:

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reaction (possibly delayed)

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reaction (possibly delayed)

Glycerol which may cause headache, stomach upset and diarrhoea

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

1. Increased absorption with food or agents delaying gastric emptying.

2. Decreased absorption with magnesium trisilicate.

3. Decreased renal excretion of Nitrofurantoin by probenecid and sulphinpyrazone.

4. Decreased anti-bacterial activity by carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and urine alkalisation.

5. Anti-bacterial antagonism by quinolone anti-infectives.

6. Interference with some tests for glucose in urine

7. As Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension belongs to the group of Antibacterials it will have the following resulting interactions:

Typhoid Vaccine (oral): Antibacterials inactivate oral typhoid vaccine.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Animal studies with Nitrofurantoin have shown no teratogenic effects.

Nitrofurantoin has been in extensive clinical use since 1952 and its suitability in human pregnancy has been well documented. However, as with all other drugs, the maternal side effects may adversely affect course of pregnancy. The drug should be used at the lowest dose as appropriate for specific indication, only after careful assessment.

Nitrofurantoin is however contraindicated in infants under three months of age and in pregnant women during labour and delivery, because of the possible risk of haemolysis of the infants' immature red cells.

Breastfeeding

Breast-feeding an infant known or suspected to have an erythrocyte enzyme deficiency (including G6PD deficiency), must be temporarily avoided, since Nitrofurantoin is detected in trace amounts in breast milk.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if affected in this way until such symptoms go away.

4.8 Undesirable effects

A tabulated list of undesirable effects is outlined below:

The undesirable effects are listed according to organ systems and following frequencies:

Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000)

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

System organ class

Frequency

Adverse reaction

Infections and infestations

Not known

Superinfections by fungi or resistant organisms such as Pseudomonas. However, these are limited to the genitourinary tract

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Rare

Not known

Aplastic anaemia

Agranulocytosis, leucopenia, granulocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia,glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase deficiency anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia and eosinophilia

Immune system disorders

Not known

Allergic skin reactions, angioneurotic oedema and anaphylaxis, Cutaneous vasculitis

Psychiatric disorders

Not known

depression, euphoria, confusion, psychotic reactions

Nervous system disorders

Not known

Peripheral neuropathy including optic neuritis (sensory as well as motor involvement), nystagmus, vertigo, dizziness, headache and drowsiness.

Benign intracranial hypertension

Cardiac disorders

Rare

Collapse and cyanosis

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Not known

Acute pulmonary reactions, Subacute pulmonary reactions*

Chronic pulmonary reactions

Cough, Dyspnoea, Pulmonary fibrosis; possible association with lupus-erythematous-like syndrome.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Not known

Sialadenitis, Pancreatitis, Nausea, Anorexia, Emesis, Abdominal pain and Diarrhea.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Not known

Cholestatic jaundice, Chronic active hepatitis**, Hepatic necrosis, Autoimmune hepatitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Not known

Transient alopecia

Exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme (including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome), maculopapular, erythematous or eczematous eruptions,urticaria, rash, and pruritis. Lupus-like syndrome associated with pulmonary reaction.

Drug Rash With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms (DRESS syndrome), cutaneous vasculitis

Renal and urinary disorders

Not known

Yellow or brown discolouration of urine, Interstitial nephritis

General disorders and administration site conditions

Not known

Asthenia, fever, chills, drug fever and arthralgia

Investigations

Not known

False positive urinary glucose

*Acute pulmonary reactions are commonly manifested by fever, chills, cough, chest pain, dyspnoea, pulmonary infiltration with consolidation or pleural effusion on chest x-ray, and eosinophilia. In subacute pulmonary reactions, fever and eosinophilia occur less often than in the acute form.

Chronic pulmonary reactions occur rarely in patients who have received continuous therapy for six months or longer and are more common in elderly patients. Changes in ECG have occurred, associated with pulmonary reactions.

**Fatal events have been reported

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of overdose include gastric irritation, nausea and vomiting.

Management

There is no known specific antidote. However, Nitrofurantoin can be haemodialysed in cases of recent ingestion. Standard treatment is by induction of emesis or by gastric lavage. Monitoring of full blood count, liver function, and pulmonary function tests are recommended. A high fluid intake should be maintained to promote urinary excretion of the drug.

5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use – other antibacterials

ATC code: J01XE01

Mode of action: Nitrofurantoin is reduced by a wide range of enzymes including bacterial flavoproteins to reactive intermediates which bind to bacterial ribosomes and inhibit several bacterial enzymes involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA and other metabolic enzymes.

PK/PD relationship:

There are no recent pharmacokinetic data available or studies that link pharmacokinetic (PK) with pharmacodynamic (PD) information. The PK/PD index and correlation with outcome is not known.

Mechanism (s) of resistance: Nitrofurantoin acts at multiple targets in the bacterial cell and resistance is uncommon. Resistance is thought to be due to loss of intracellular nitroreductase activity via sequential mutations in the DNA regions encoding these enzymes.

Breakpoints: Susceptibility interpretive Criteria for Nitrofurantoin (EUCAST v. 8.1, valid from 2018-05-15)

MIC breakpoint (mg/L)

S ≤

R >

E. coli*

64

64

S. saprophyticus*

64

64

E. faecalis*

64

64

S. agalactiae (group B streptococci)*

64

64

Aerococcus sanguinicola and urinae *

16

16

*Uncomplicated UTI only

Susceptibility

The prevalence of resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, expert advice should be sought when the local prevalence of resistance is such that the utility of the agent in at least some types of infection is questionable.

Commonly susceptible species:

Aerobic gram-positive microorganisms

Enterococcus species

Staphylococcus aureus

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus)*

Streptococcus agalactiae*

Viridans group streptococci*

Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms

Citrobacter koseri*

Citrobacter freundii*

Escherichia coli

Klebsiella oxytoca*

* In vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown. Nitrofurantoin exhibits in vitro activity against these bacteria; however, the safety and effectiveness of nitrofurantoin in treating clinical infections due to these bacteria have not been established in adequate and well controlled clinical trials.

Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem

Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms

Klebsiella oxytoca*

Enterobacter spp

Inherently resistant organisms

Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms

Proteus spp

Pseudomonas spp

Serratia spp

Morganella spp

Providencia spp

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Orally administered Nitrofurantoin is readily absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly excreted in the urine. Blood concentrations at therapeutic dosages are usually low.

Elimination

Maximum urinary excretion usually occurs 2-4 hours after administration of Nitrofurantoin. Urinary drug dose recoveries of about 40-45% are obtained. It has an elimination half-life of about 30 minutes.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

A carcinogenic effect of Nitrofurantoin in animal studies was observed. However, human data and extensive use of Nitrofurantoin over 50 years do not support such observation.

6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate

Polysorbate 20

Glycerol

Carbomer

Sucralose

Apricot flavour

Sodium hydroxide

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known

6.3 Shelf life

3 years

After first opening: 3 months

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions before opening.

After first opening do not store above 25° C and use within 3 months.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Bottle:

300 ml in Amber (Type III) glass

Closure:

LDPE, child-resistant and tamper evident screw cap

Dosing devices: One 5 ml oral medication syringe (plastic dosing pipette) with 0.1ml graduation and the neck fitted syringe adaptor for the bottle or one double plastic 2.5/5.0 ml spoon

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements for disposal.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. Marketing authorisation holder

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited

Laxmi House, 2-B Draycott Avenue

Kenton, Middlesex

HA3 0BU

United Kingdom

8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 25258/0343

9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

02/10/2018

10. Date of revision of the text

30/06/2023

Company Contact Details
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd
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+44 (0)1923 251137

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www.glenmarkpharma.com

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+44 (0)1923 202 950

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0800 458 0383

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