Can you open Macrobid capsules?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can you open Macrobid capsules?
No, you shouldn’t open Macrobid capsules. Macrobid contains Nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic. Although the formulation is not modified-release, it is still not recommended to open capsules. (1,2)
The medications should be swallowed whole and just as directed by a healthcare provider. Remember, ensuring the proper use of Macrobid is essential to get relief from the ongoing bacterial infection in your body. If you have concerns about taking the capsules, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
It is generally not recommended to open antibiotic capsules or crush antibiotic tablets unless advised by the healthcare provider.
Potential risks of opening Macrobid capsules
Opening Macrobid capsules can be risky as it may lead to several issues. The main concern is that the powder inside the capsule can irritate the throat and cause discomfort (1,2).
It may lead to throat irritation and pain, which can be particularly concerning for individuals with sensitive throats or those prone to irritation. In some cases, the powder may even get stuck in the throat, causing further discomfort (1,2).
Moreover, opening the capsules can expose the powder inside the capsule and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. When the capsule is intact, it helps protect the drug from breaking down too quickly in the stomach, allowing it to be absorbed properly in the intestines.
However, when the capsule is opened, the drug can be released too early, leading to reduced efficacy. To avoid these potential risks, it is essential to take Macrobid capsules as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water to ensure proper absorption and minimize the risk of throat irritation. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, discuss alternative options with your healthcare provider (1,2).
Make sure you ensure the safe and effective use of Macrobid. To do so, it is important to stick to the recommended dosage strength and frequency of drug use.
It is also important to check the expiry date before taking Macrobid or any other medication to ensure that it is potent enough to help your symptoms.
It is also important to make sure that you are using Macrobid for the right reasons. Using it for infections it is not intended to create, like tooth infections, can result in worsening of your symptoms.
Alternatives to opening Macrobid capsules
If you have difficulty swallowing Macrobid capsules, there are alternative options you can consider. First, talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns and difficulties. They may be able to prescribe a different form of medication, such as a liquid or a smaller pill that is easier to swallow (3).
Nitrofurantoin is available as an oral liquid dosage form (3). It is specifically formulated for those who have difficulty swallowing pills, such as children or individuals with certain medical conditions.
With liquid Nitrofurantoin, you can easily measure the prescribed dose with a special measuring device that comes with the medication. This allows for accurate dosing and ensures you receive the right amount of the active drug to treat your infection effectively (3).
Another option is to try pill-swallowing techniques. Some people find it helpful to take the capsule with a large sip of water or a beverage they prefer. You can also try tilting your head forward slightly while swallowing the pill to make it go down more smoothly.
It is important to note that some people could be allergic to Macrobid and should never take this antibiotic. However, people who are allergic to other antibiotics, such as penicillins and sulfonamides, can take Macrobid – as this medication is neither a beta-lactam antibiotic nor a sulfa drug.
However, it’s best to discuss the right choice of antibiotic with your doctor before you start taking one.
Final words
To sum up, it is not recommended to open Macrobid capsules. Doing so can lead to potential risks such as throat irritation, reduced medication effectiveness, and discomfort. It’s crucial to take the capsules as directed by your healthcare provider to ensure proper absorption and effective treatment.
If you have difficulties swallowing pills, discuss alternative options with your healthcare provider.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Macrobid® (Nitrofurantoin Capsules, USP). Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/020064Orig1s029lbl.pdf
2.-
LABEL: MACROBID- nitrofurantoin monohydrate and nitrofurantoin, macrocrystalline capsule. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=1971e893-5fdb-41e3-a1e9-5e52deed03d1&type=pdf
3.-
LABEL: NITROFURANTOIN suspension. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=11dcea9c-0c62-4153-976b-bd1f8ef1f6d9&type=pdf
