Nalidixic Acid
About
Nalidixic Acid belongs to a class of drugs called antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by bacteria. Urinary tract infection is the most common infection in humans caused by microbes and can occur in any part of the urinary tract such as the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or ureters.
Nalidixic Acid contains Nalidixic acid, an antibiotic that works by inhibiting the action of DNA gyrase (bacterial enzyme) that is essential for repairing and replicating the genetic material (DNA) of bacteria. Thereby prevents the reproduction and repair of bacteria. Thus, kills bacteria and clears the infection.
Take Nalidixic Acid as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Nalidixic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, nausea, or stomach pain. Most of these side effects of Nalidixic Acid do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Nalidixic Acid or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Nalidixic Acid. Avoid taking Nalidixic Acid if you are breastfeeding as it may be excreted in breastmilk and harm the baby. You are recommended to complete the full course of Nalidixic Acid as prescribed by your doctor for effective results. You are advised to maintain a time gap of 2 hours between taking Nalidixic Acid and mineral supplements, vitamins with minerals or iron, sucralfate, didanosine, or antacids containing magnesium, calcium, and aluminium.
Uses of Nalidixic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Nalidixic Acid contains Nalidixic acid, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that acts against both gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria. It is mainly active against gram-negative bacteria such as E-coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri and Morganella morganii. Nalidixic Acid inhibits DNA gyrase (bacterial enzyme) action that is essential for repairing and replicating the genetic material (DNA) of bacteria. Thereby prevents reproduction and repair of bacteria. Thus, kills bacteria and clears the infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Nalidixic Acid
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Nalidixic Acid or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have fits, porphyria (disorder in the formation of red blood pigment), kidney or liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Nalidixic Acid. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Nalidixic Acid. Avoid taking Nalidixic Acid if you are breastfeeding as it may be excreted in breastmilk and harm the baby. You are recommended to drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria. You are recommended to complete the full course of Nalidixic Acid as prescribed by your doctor for effective results. You are advised to maintain a time gap of 2 hours between taking Nalidixic Acid and mineral supplements, vitamins with minerals or iron, sucralfate, didanosine, or antacids containing magnesium, calcium, and aluminium.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Nalidixic Acid may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), bronchodilator (theophylline), antibiotics (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin), high uric acid levels lowering medicine (probenecid), anticancer drug (melphalan), immunosuppressant (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Nalidixic Acid may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid caffeine intake with Nalidixic Acid as it may increase the effects of caffeine.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have fits, porphyria (disorder in the formation of red blood pigment), liver or kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Nalidixic Acid.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Nalidixic Acid is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Nalidixic Acid.
Pregnancy
cautionNalidixic Acid is a category C pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeNalidixic Acid is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may be excreted in breastmilk. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedNalidixic Acid usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Nalidixic Acid with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Nalidixic Acid with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionNalidixic Acid is not recommended for infants below 3 months, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, Nalidixic Acid should be used in children below 18 years if prescribed by a doctor only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol, soda, coffee, tea, and artificial sweeteners as they may cause bladder irritation.
- Drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while taking Nalidixic Acid to flush out the bacteria.
- Avoid spicy foods and citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruits) as they may irritate the bladder.
- Eat foods antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, and plain greek yogurt.
- Take probiotics after completing the full course of Nalidixic Acid to restore some good bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like cheese, yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi can restore the good bacteria of the intestine.
- Include fiber-rich foods, as they can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains such as brown rice and whole-grain bread should be included in your diet.
Special Advise
Blood tests are recommended to monitor blood counts, kidney and liver functioning from time to time if Nalidixic Acid is continued for more than 2 weeks.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Urinary tract infection (UTI): It is the most common infection in humans caused by microbes and can occur in any part of the urinary tract such as the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or ureters. Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, but some may be caused by fungi and rarely by viruses. Generally, urinary tract infections involve the bladder and urethra in the lower tract. It occurs mostly in women than in men. The symptoms of lower tract (bladder, urethra) infection include the increased urge to urinate, bloody urine, pain with urination, or pelvic pain in women. The symptoms of upper tract (kidneys, ureters) infection include vomiting, nausea, fever, or back pain.
FAQs
Nalidixic Acid contains Nalidixic acid, an antibiotic that works by inhibiting the action of DNA gyrase (bacterial enzyme) that is essential for repairing and replicating the genetic material (DNA) of bacteria. Thereby prevents reproduction and repair of bacteria. Thus, kills bacteria and clears the infection.
Nalidixic Acid may cause diarrhoea as a temporary adverse effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens or notices blood in stools, please consult your doctor.
You are not recommended to take Nalidixic Acid with probenecid as co-administration of these medicines may reduce the effectiveness of Nalidixic Acid and increase its adverse effects. However, please consult your doctor before taking Nalidixic Acid with other medicines.
Nalidixic Acid is not used to treat viral infections. Nalidixic Acid is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and is used to treat only bacterial infections.
You are not recommended to stop taking Nalidixic Acid without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the infection or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Nalidixic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Nalidixic Acid, please consult your doctor.
You are not recommended to take Nalidixic Acid with warfarin as it may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, please consult a doctor before using Nalidixic Acid with other medicines to adjust the dose appropriately to use both medicines safely.
