Nalidixic Acid Side Effects

Brand Names: NegGram

Please note - some side effects for Nalidixic Acid may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Nalidixic Acid - for the Consumer

Nalidixic Acid

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Nalidixic Acid:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; nausea; rash; stomach pain or discomfort; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred or decreased vision; burning or tingling sensation; changes in color vision; convulsions; decrease in ability to sense pain, temperature, or body position; double vision; itching; numbness; pain; pain, redness, or swelling of a tendon; seeing halos around lights; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Nalidixic Acid Suspension

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Nalidixic Acid Suspension:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; nausea; rash; stomach pain or discomfort; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred or decreased vision; burning or tingling sensation; changes in color vision; convulsions; decrease in ability to sense pain, temperature, or body position; double vision; itching; numbness; pain; pain, redness, or swelling of a tendon; seeing halos around lights; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, eosinophilia, arthralgia with joint stiffness and swelling, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions, erythema multiforme, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Photosensitivity reactions characterized by erythema and bullae have been reported and usually resolve in 2 weeks to 2 months after discontinuation of nalidixic acid.

Photosensitivity reactions to nalidixic acid appear to be related to the amount of sun exposure rather than amount of drug taken. Most reactions are reported following intense sun exposure during the summer. Large bullae develop most commonly on the dorsum of the hands and feet. Following acute reactions, skin fragility may exist and sun sensitivity persists for up to three months after nalidixic acid administration. Recurrence of bullae have been reported after one year.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Nervous system

Psychotic reactions involving delirium, photophobia, paranoia, and visual hallucinations have rarely been reported with nalidixic acid. Seizures may also be involved and hyperglycemia is often present. Seizures have been reported in patients with underlying seizure disorders or atherosclerosis. Increased intracranial pressure, bulging anterior fontanel, papilledema, headache, and 6th cranial nerve palsy have been reported in pediatric patients.

Nervous system side effects have included drowsiness, weakness, headache, dizziness, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy, and paresthesia. Toxic psychosis and seizures have been rarely reported, usually in association with excessive doses.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included photophobia, changes in color perception, difficulty in focusing, decreases in visual acuity, and double vision. These effects usually resolve with dosage reduction or drug discontinuation.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have rarely included thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, and hemolytic anemia (sometimes associated with glucose 6-phosphate deficiency).

Hemolytic anemia secondary to nalidixic acid most commonly occurs in patients with G6PD deficiency but has also been reported in patients without this deficiency. Direct Coomb's tests are generally positive. Death from nalidixic acid induced hemolytic anemia has been reported.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgias and myalgias.

Metabolic

Metabolic acidosis has been reported in a few patients, generally after an overdose of nalidixic acid. Lactic acidosis resulting in death occurred in a diabetic woman.

Metabolic side effects have rarely included metabolic acidosis and lactic acidosis.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have rarely included cholestasis.

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