nitrofurantoin vs probenecid
Side-by-side comparison of nitrofurantoin and probenecid. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.2 Uricosuric Drugs Uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, can inhibit renal tubular secretion of nitrofurantoin.
Recommendation: Your doctor may need to monitor your treatment closely or choose a different medication to ensure your infection is treated properly.
Macrobid, Macrodantin
Benemid
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic medicine. It is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.
No summary available.
This medicine treats urinary tract infections (UTIs). It works against certain bacteria like E. coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter. It is not for treating kidney infections or abscesses around the kidney.
Information not available.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing. It damages the bacteria's DNA, which kills the bacteria. This helps to clear up the infection in your urinary tract.
Information not available.
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Vomiting
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Yeast infection of the vagina
- • Headache
- • Vomiting
- Urinary tract infection 1,301
- Tiredness 1,240
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,186
- Head pain 1,103
- Pain 964
- Diarrhea 76
- Difficulty breathing 52
- Adenovirus infection 47
- Weakness 47
- Tiredness 46
This medicine can cause serious side effects. Rarely, it can cause deadly allergic reactions, lung problems, liver problems, and nerve damage. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing, yellowing of the skin, numbness, or tingling.
No specific warnings noted.
Do not take this medicine if you are 38-42 weeks pregnant or in labor. It could cause anemia in the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
No pregnancy information available.
How to Read This nitrofurantoin vs probenecid Comparison
nitrofurantoin is classified in the Nitrofuran Antibiotic drug class, while probenecid sits within the Uricosuric Agent class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, nitrofurantoin has 5,794 submissions while probenecid has 268. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to probenecid stops the kidneys from moving nitrofurantoin into the urine, which can make the antibiotic less effective for treating a bladder infection.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between nitrofurantoin and probenecid - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.