Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NITROFURANTOIN versus SEPTRA DS.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NITROFURANTOIN versus SEPTRA DS.
NITROFURANTOIN vs SEPTRA DS
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Nitrofurantoin is reduced by bacterial flavoproteins to reactive intermediates that inactivate or inhibit bacterial ribosomal proteins, DNA, RNA, and metabolic enzymes, leading to bacterial cell death.
SEPTRA DS is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Trimethoprim inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, while sulfamethoxazole inhibits dihydropteroate synthase, sequentially blocking folate synthesis and ultimately DNA synthesis in susceptible bacteria.
100 mg orally twice daily for 5-7 days (uncomplicated UTI); 50-100 mg orally four times daily for 7 days (symptomatic uncomplicated UTI). Extended-release: 100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days.
One DS tablet (800 mg sulfamethoxazole/160 mg trimethoprim) orally every 12 hours for 10-14 days.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateNitrofurantoin + Norfloxacin
"The therapeutic efficacy of Norfloxacin can be decreased when used in combination with Nitrofurantoin."
Clinical Note
moderateNitrofurantoin + Teriflunomide
"The serum concentration of Teriflunomide can be increased when it is combined with Nitrofurantoin."
Clinical Note
moderateNitrofurantoin + Probenecid
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Nitrofurantoin."
Clinical Note
moderateNitrofurantoin + Rolapitant
Normal renal function: 20-60 minutes; impaired function: prolonged up to 1-2 hours, clinically significant due to urinary concentration requirement
Trimethoprim: 8-10 hours; sulfamethoxazole: 10-12 hours (prolonged in renal impairment, e.g., creatinine clearance <30 mL/min increases half-life to >20 hours).
Renal: ~40% unchanged via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion, biliary/fecal: <1%
Renal excretion of unchanged drugs accounts for 50-70% of trimethoprim and 20-30% of sulfamethoxazole; biliary excretion is minor (<10% total).
Category D/X
Category C
Antibiotic
Antibiotic
"The serum concentration of Rolapitant can be increased when it is combined with Nitrofurantoin."