MacroBID is a commonly prescribed antibiotic based on the active ingredient nitrofurantoin. Available in capsules, this medicine is used to treat various urinary tract infections, including cystitis and bacterial infections of the kidneys.

What’s on this page?

Cystitis: A general background

Cystitis is a rather common urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects a large proportion of women at least once in their lives, but it is not exclusive in that regard as cases in men have been recorded too, although in somewhat smaller numbers. Cystitis is usually preceded by the initial bacterial infection that will spread through the urethra up to the bladder. Those affected will notice changes in their urine (and urination) including:

  • Frequent and painful urination
  • Discoloured and cloudy urine
  • Strong odour

In addition to these symptoms, some significantly less can also manifest, including:

  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Fatigue
  • General malaise

How can I get cystitis?

While there is no way to completely eliminate the chances of getting affected by this condition, there are certain risk factors that medical experts have identified so far. For starters, personal hygiene plays a significant role when it comes to preventing cystitis and the bad habit of wiping from the anus to the genitals can contribute to introduction of harmful bacteria to the urethra. In addition to this, sexual intercourse, use of tampons and contraceptive diaphragms, not being able to empty your bladder properly due to stones or pregnancy and even changes in the urinary tract that are characteristic of menopause can all be considered risk factors.

How is cystitis treated?

While cystitis certainly is a very unpleasant, distressing and even painful medical condition, the good news is that it is not serious. Milder cases will usually clear up by themselves, or to be more precise, will be mitigated by the body’s natural defences, but in more severe cases, prescription antibiotics might be necessary in order to help the immune system deal with the infection. MacroBID capsules are commonly prescribed in these situations.

Nitrofurantoin – the active ingredient of MacroBID capsules

The secret to MacroBID’s respectable success rates is directly tied to the chemical and pharmacological properties of its active ingredient nitrofurantoin. Once this compound is absorbed into the body, it will eventually find its way to the kidneys, destroying the bacteria in the urine and thus clearing the infection.

Since MacroBID is a prolonged release capsule, the contents of the antibiotic will be steadily released over several hours after consumption.

Can I buy MacroBID online? Do I need a prescription?

As is the case with all antibiotics, you will need a prescription in order to obtain MacroBID. This can be achieved either by making an appointment with your doctor (general practitioner) and asking for medicine after describing your symptoms and undergoing various tests if needed, or, if you are looking to buy MacroBID online, you can skip making an appointment and waiting in line at the pharmacy. Instead, you can look up for online clinics and use them to obtain your medicine.

The process is rather simple. You will still need a prescription and for that, you’ll have to talk to a doctor, but with an online clinic, you can do this from the comfort of your own home, via customized questionnaire or a live chat app on the clinic’s website. After answering the questions relevant for your medical profile, the doctor will make a decision. If you are suitable for the treatment, then the prescription will be issued and used that very instant to send the required medicine to your address.

How is MacroBID used?

In order to ensure the optimal results of the treatments and minimize the risk of side effects, you should use MacroBID exactly as prescribed by a doctor. If you are unsure about any aspect of your treatment, always consult a doctor or the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of the medicine.

Without going in-depth into the specifics of the treatment course, we will provide you with the most general info that you should keep in mind.

  • Always use the medicines as prescribed – never make any changes to your treatment without your doctor’s approval
  • Usual dose is one capsule taken twice daily
  • Try to keep the doses around 12 hours apart
  • Take the capsules whole with water without breaking, crushing or chewing them – this is crucial for the effectiveness of the prolonged release medicine
  • It is recommended that you take the capsules with food or just after eating in order to stimulate absorption and minimize the chances of upset stomach
  • If you forget a dose, take the next one as usual and continue the course as before
  • Do not take more than one dose at a time to compensate for missed doses
  • Seek immediate medical assistance if you accidentally took more medicine than you should
  • Always complete the full course of the treatment, even if symptoms diminish prior to that

Are there any side effects?

Yes, as is the case with all prescription medicines, MacroBID too comes with an array of potential side effects. While not everyone using the medicine will experience some of the side effects, it is still prudent to be familiar with them so you can seek medical attention if something goes wrong. Most importantly, if you notice symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should contact the emergency services immediately. Allergic reaction to nitrofurantoin can be identified by the following symptoms:

  • Facial swelling
  • Itchy rashes
  • Lung problems
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Inflammation of the liver

Other side effects include:

  • Darker urine (common, yet completely benign side effect)
  • General malaise
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loose bowel movements
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Visual disturbances
  • Short term hair loss

MacroBID adverse interactions with other medicines

MacroBID has also been known to adversely interact with various other treatments, including:

  • Oral contraceptives
  • Typhoid vaccine
  • Antacids for indigestion
  • Medicine for glaucoma
  • Quinolone antibiotics
  • Medicines that decrease the levels of acid in urine

Contraindications

In addition to already mentioned contraindications, certain medical conditions can also make the use of MacroBID relatively unsafe. These include:

  • Porphyria
  • Final stages of pregnancy
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Kidney diseases
  • G6PD deficiency

In addition to this, some medical conditions can be rather risky, but MacroBID can still be used, although with some extra precautions and consultations with your doctor. These are:

  • Diabetes
  • Anaemia
  • Vitamin B deficiency
  • Lung diseases
  • Liver diseases
  • You have brown or yellow urine