It is mainly during this time that some medicines are known to cause birth defects. Can taking nitrofurantoin antibiotic in pregnancy cause my baby to be born with birth defects?Ī baby’s body and most internal organs are formed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what is right for you and your baby. You should not alter the dose of any of your medicines without medical supervision. This leaflet summarises the scientific studies relating to the effects of nitrofurantoin on a baby in the womb. However, it is always a good idea to let your doctor know that you are pregnant if you have taken any medicines in case you need any additional monitoring or treatment. Nitrofurantoin is commonly prescribed in pregnancy with no known adverse effects on the developing baby. What if I have already taken nitrofurantoin during pregnancy? When deciding whether or not to take nitrofurantoin during pregnancy it is important to weigh up how necessary this is to your health against the possible risks to you or your baby, some of which will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are.
Untreated, bladder infections can lead to infections of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), which can be dangerous for the mother and have also been linked to preterm labour. The timely and correct treatment of bladder infections during pregnancy may be crucial to the health of both mother and baby. Is it safe to use nitrofurantoin in pregnancy? Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid®) is an antibiotic used to treat infections of the bladder (also called lower urinary tract infections or UTIs). UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy. UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by Public Health England on behalf of UK Health Departments. This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS).