Two medicines, side by side
Methenamine vs nitrofurantoin
Methenamine and nitrofurantoin are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of methenamine since 1967 and of nitrofurantoin since 1953. Pharmacies paid $0.313 per methenamine hipp 1 g tablet and $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the methenamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026); the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026).
Highlights of the methenamine record
Methenamine (Urex) · label of August 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethenamine hippurate tablets are indicated for prophylactic or suppressive treatment of frequently recurring urinary tract infections when long-term therapy is considered necessary. This drug should only be used after eradication of the infection by other appropriate antimicrobial agents. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.313 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Methenamine label of August 7, 2026, Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do methenamine and nitrofurantoin differ on the record?
Generics: methenamine since 2003; nitrofurantoin since 1970 (Drugs@FDA).
| Methenamine | Nitrofurantoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Nitrofuran Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 5, 1967 | February 6, 1953 |
| First generic approved | June 20, 2003 | September 30, 1970 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.313 per tablet (Methenamine hipp 1 g tablet) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,210 | 22,755 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to methenamine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions