Product Information

Furazolidone tablet

What is this medicine?

FURAZOLIDONE is an antibiotic used to treat infectious diarrhea.

What should my health care professional know before I receive this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• G6PD deficiency
• an unusual reaction to furazolidone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take furazolidone by mouth. It may be taken with or without food. Do not take this medication with tyramine containing foods (see below). Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. This medication should be taken at regular intervals.

What may interact with this medicine?

• alcohol
• buproprion
• caffeine
• cocaine
• cyclobenzaprine
• dextromethorphan
• diet pills, stimulants or amphetamine-like drugs
• guarana
• linezolid
• medicines for allergies, colds, hayfever, sinus, and breathing difficulties
• medicines for migraine (such as naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• medicines for high blood pressure and heart medicines
• medicines called MAO inhibitors- examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid
• medicines for mental depression, anxiety, psychotic disturbances or other mental problems
• meperidine
• procarbazine
• some medications for Parkinson's disease, such as entacapone, levodopa or tolcapone
• St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
• tramadol
• tryptophan
• tyraminesee below for foods that contain tyramine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking this medicine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in a few days or get worse.

Because furazolidone may interact with many over-the-counter medications, you must check with your prescriber before taking any non-prescription medicines while on this antibiotic. Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies. Do not take any medications for weight loss. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.

Furazolidone can interact with certain foods that contain tyramine to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses; meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage); beer and ale; alcohol-free beer; wine (especially red); sherry; hard liquor; liqueurs; avocados; bananas; figs; raisins; soy sauce; miso soup; yeast/protein extracts; bean curd; fava or broad bean pods; or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your prescriber or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, or cola. These dietary restrictions should be followed during the course of therapy and should be continued for 4 days after therapy has been discontinued.

Avoid alcohol during and for up to 4 days after taking furazolidone. A serious syndrome (flushing, low blood pressure, slight temperature elevation, difficulty breathing or chest pain or discomfort) can occur.

Notify your health care professional if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing (including myelography); tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have been taking furazolidone.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• chest discomfort or pain
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• flushing
• joint pain
• low or high blood pressure
• rash
• seizures (convulsions)
• weakness
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• nausea
• brown color to the urine

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Do not expose medication to sunlight. Keep in original amber bottle. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.