Furazolidone
About
Furazolidone belongs to the group of medications called antibiotics used to treat, control and prevent various bacterial and protozoal infections. It is effective against colitis (inflammation in your colon), cholera, traveller's diarrhoea, bacteremic salmonellosis (a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract) and Giardiasis (An intestinal infection caused by a giardia parasite), Infections of the abdomen and other conditions. Bacterial infections are any illness or disease caused by bacterial growth or poisons (toxins). Protozoal infections are any illness or disease caused by protozoa (tiny one-celled organisms which can cause infections).
Furazolidone contains Furazolidone. It works by killing bacteria and protozoa (tiny, one-celled animals). It helps treat, control and prevent various bacterial and protozoal infections.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Furazolidone are nausea, headache, loose stools, brown or dark yellow coloured urine and stomach or abdomen pain. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
Before taking Furazolidone, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Furazolidone. Do not stop taking the drug suddenly since this may result in antimicrobial resistance, a condition in which the microbe develops resistance against the medicine. Do not use Furazolidone in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and in the elderly unless prescribed by the doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption.
Uses of Furazolidone
Medicinal Benefits
Furazolidone contains Furazolidone, used to treat, control, and prevent various bacterial and protozoal infections. It is effective against colitis (inflammation in your colon), cholera, traveller's diarrhoea, bacteremic salmonellosis (a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract) and Giardiasis (An intestinal infection caused by a giardia parasite), Infections of the abdomen and other conditions. Furazolidone works by killing bacteria and protozoa (tiny one-celled organisms that can cause infections). Thus, it helps treat, control, and prevent bacterial and protozoal infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Furazolidone
- Nausea
- Headache
- Loose stools
- Brown or dark yellow coloured urine
- Stomach or abdomen pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
It is strongly advised that you should not use this medication unless prescribed by a doctor. Before using the Furazolidone, inform your doctor about your medical conditions (e.g., pregnancy, nursing, any scheduled surgery, etc.), sensitivities (allergic reactions to foods and medicines), and medications you are taking. Other drugs or supplements should not be taken with Furazolidone unless prescribed by a doctor. Do not miss any doses and finish the entire course of medicine. Stopping the drug too soon may cause the infection to reoccur or worsen.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Furazolidone may interact with certain recreational drugs (e.g. amphetamine), antidepression medication (e.g. amoxapine, bupropion, citalopram, venlafaxine), decongestant medications (e.g. phenylephrine), medicine used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches (e.g. sumatriptan), certain vaccines (e.g. cholera vaccine, typhoid vaccine) and anticonvulsant medications (e.g. carbamazepine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Consumption of alcohol is not recommended.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Furazolidone may interact with alcoholism (Alcohol use disorder).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may worsen your condition.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Furazolidone.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Furazolidone is excreted in human milk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Driving
cautionFurazolidone generally does not alternate your alertness. However, do not drive or operate machinery if you experience symptoms affecting your ability to concentrate and react.
Liver
cautionLimited information is available about using Furazolidone in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before taking the Furazolidone if you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionLimited information is available about using Furazolidone in patients with kidney disease. Inform your doctor before taking the Furazolidone if you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
consult your doctorIt is not recommended for use in children below one month. For using Furazolidone in children above one month, consult a doctor. Your child's doctor will prescribe a suitable dose based on your child's condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Hand washing is the most effective approach to keep germs from causing diseases and sickness.
- Consume more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have traditionally been used to kill parasites.
- Wash your vegetables thoroughly in running water before cooking or eating them raw. to keep protozoal infections at bay.
- It would be best to take probiotics after taking the full course of Furazolidone to restore some healthy intestinal bacteria that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after taking a course of antibiotics. Whole grains, like whole-grain bread and brown rice, should be included in your diet.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Furazolidone as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Furazolidone in fighting off infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is when harmful bacteria enter, multiply and infect the body. It can target any organ of the body and multiply very quickly. Many bacteria give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses (like sore throat and ear infections) to severe brain infections (like meningitis and encephalitis). When infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills and fatigue. A few harmful bacteria commonly cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli. Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.
Diarrhoea: It is a medical condition in which a person faces loose, watery stools or a frequent need to have a bowel movement.
Protozoal infections: Protozoal infections are any illness or condition caused by protozoa (tiny one-celled organisms which can cause infections).
Colitis: Colitis is an inflammation of the colon, which is the largest portion of your gut. The last stage of your food's trip through your digestive system is the colon. Inflammation in your colon can disrupt this journey, producing pain, diarrhoea, and even blood in your stool (faeces).
Bacteremic salmonellosis: Bacteremic salmonellosis (a bacterial infection of the intestine). Salmonella bacteria normally reside in the intestines of animals and humans and are excreted in the form of stool (faeces). Humans are most commonly infected by contaminated water or food.
Giardiasis: Giardiasis is an intestine infection caused by a giardia parasite, or Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis.
FAQs
Furazolidone contains Furazolidone. It works by killing bacteria and protozoa (tiny, one-celled organisms). Thus, it treats various bacterial and protozoal infections.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule if it is time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.
No, it is a prescribed drug a physician gives to prevent specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
Do not stop using Furazolidone even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and the worsening of the disease.
Furazolidone is safe if used in the dose and duration recommended by your doctor. Take it precisely as directed, and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's guidelines carefully and inform your doctor if any side effects disturb you.
