FURAZOLIDONE

Brand & Generic Names

Furoxone
Furoxone Liquid

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiprotozoal, antibacterial

Uses

• As an adjunct in treating most germs that infect the gastrointestinal tract such as cholera, salmonellosis, E. coli, proteus infections, and other bacterial causes of diarrhea.
• Treats giardiasis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Liquid: Use a measuring spoon to ensure correct dose.
Tablet: Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose. Don't double this dose.

What drug does:
Kills microscopic germs.

Time lapse before drug works:
Immediate.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected except when taken with forbidden foods (see Possible Interaction with Other Substances).

Common:

• Nausea, vomiting.
• Dark yellow or brown urine.

Infrequent:

• Abdominal pain.
• Headache.

Rare:

Sore throat, fever, skin rash, itching, joint pain.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have G6PD* deficiency.
• You have hypersensitivity to furazolidone, nitrofurantoin (Furadantin), or nitrofurazone (Furacin).

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child, but avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't use for infants without specific instructions from your doctor.

Prolonged use:
No special problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Food restrictions outlined in Possible Interaction with Other Substances must be continued for at least 2 weeks after furazolidone is discontinued.

Others:

• Should not be taken with foods or drinks high in tyramine (see Possible Interaction with Other Substances).
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME OR	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antidepressants	Sudden, severe increase in blood
(tricyclic)*	pressure.
MAO inhibitors*	Sudden, severe increase in blood
	pressure.
Sumatriptan	Adverse effects unknown. Avoid.
Sympathomimetics*	Sudden, severe increase in blood
	pressure.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Flushed face, shortness of breath,
	fever, tightness in chest. Avoid.
Any alcoholic beverage.	Flushed face, shortness of breath,
	fever, tightness in chest. Avoid.
Cocaine:	High blood pressure. Avoid.
Aged cheese; dark beer;	Sudden, severe high blood pressure
red wine (especially	that may be life-threatening.
Chianti); sherry; liqueurs;	Avoid.
Marijuana:	High blood pressure. Avoid.
---------
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.