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Comparing Ampicillin vs Nitrofurantoin

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects, interactions and more.
Ampicillin Remove Ampicillin from your drug comparison Nitrofurantoin Remove Nitrofurantoin from your drug comparison
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects, interactions and more.
Ampicillin Remove Ampicillin from your drug comparison Nitrofurantoin Remove Nitrofurantoin from your drug comparison

Prescribed for Urinary Tract Infection, Bacterial Infection, Bronchitis, Bacteremia, Skin or Soft Tissue Infection, Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention, Endocarditis, Septicemia, Upper Respiratory... View more

Nitrofurantoin is an effective antibiotic with a low risk of inducing bacterial resistance that is used specifically to treat urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Long-term use... View more

Prescription only

Prescription only

Ratings & Reviews

Recent helpful reviews
9.3
3 Reviews

For Urinary Tract Infection: It works and helps me get back to normal within a few hours. No side effects or drowsiness.

10
4.6
1093 Reviews

For Urinary Tract Infection: This medication made me feel awful. I woke up everyday with a bad headache, experienced nausea, dizziness, and extreme tiredness throughout the week (everyday). I don't think I can finish the full week as I need to resume my life. I wouldn't take this again. However the infection seems to be gone so it worked for that.

5

For Urinary Tract Infection: This is a serious antibiotic. I have never had such adverse side-effects to a medication than I have with nitro. I had a UTI that kept coming back for about 5 month. Doc finally put me on Nitro after cipro and everything else didn't work. I am on day 9 of a 10 day dose and feel like I am dying. I can't get a good rest. My lungs feel congested but I can't cough up anything and my cough is dry. I get panicky and frustrated very easily. I have ZERO energy. My hair is thinning. I am freezing constantly. Overall I feel like I am getting over the flu. Unlike those who complain of diarrhea, I have severe constipation. I am only one day away from the end... I just need to tough it out one more day....

5

View all 3 reviews

View all 1093 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include: eosinophilia, and skin rash.

See the full ampicillin side effects document.

See the full nitrofurantoin side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance
Quantity 4 capsule
Dosage 500 mg
Per Unit* $2.02
Cost* $8.08

View all ampicillin prices

Quantity 2 capsule
Dosage macrocrystals 100 mg
Per Unit* $5.61 - $5.83
Cost* $11.21 - $11.65

View all nitrofurantoin prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes (this medicine)

Yes (this medicine)

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Injectable powder for injection
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral powder for reconstitution
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral suspension

Brand Names

N/A

 Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin, Nitro Macro

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

1.3 hours

1 hour

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

FDA Alerts

N/A

N/A

Drug Interactions

A total of 83 drugs are known to interact with ampicillin:

  • 3 major drug interactions (11 brand and generic names)
  • 63 moderate drug interactions (562 brand and generic names)
  • 17 minor drug interactions (65 brand and generic names)

A total of 250 drugs are known to interact with nitrofurantoin:

  • 11 major drug interactions (42 brand and generic names)
  • 151 moderate drug interactions (759 brand and generic names)
  • 88 minor drug interactions (556 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • You may experience reduced absorption of ampicillin in the presence of food. The effectiveness of... View more

No results found - however, this does not necessarily mean no warnings exist. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

December 17, 1965

February 06, 1953

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

N/A

More Information

Consumer Resources

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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