Can Macrobid cause a yeast infection?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can Macrobid cause a yeast infection?
Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) may or may not cause a yeast infection in people using this antibiotic. Macrobid is not commonly associated with this side effect, especially if it is used for short-term treatments.
However, prolonged use of Macrobid can expose the feminine-area microflora to the antibacterial effects of the medication (1). When the natural microflora is disturbed, opportunistic fungi, like yeast, start to grow and give rise to an infection.
Other antibiotics, like Xifaxan, Levaquin, and Sulfamethoxazole can also trigger yeast infections if taken for a prolonged period of time. This is why it’s important to take antibiotics for as long as your doctor has asked you to.
How to treat Macrobid-induced yeast infection?
Yeast infections caused by Macrobid can be treated using antifungal medication. Both oral and topical dosage forms are used, depending on the severity of your infection (2).
For mild infections, antifungal creams and ointments are applied to the inside of your female anatomy. In case of a stronger yeast infection, oral antifungals are prescribed, like Fluconazole, to help eradicate the infectious yeast growth (3). The infection usually gets treated in a few days.
How to prevent getting a yeast infection on Macrobid?
You can try and prevent a yeast infection on Macrobid, especially if you are to take the medication for a long period of time or if you’re generally sensitive to getting a yeast infection. Some of the tips include:
Take Diflucan (Fluconazole) concomitantly with your Macrobid
For women who are susceptible to getting a yeast infection, the best way to prevent it is to take Diflucan concomitantly with your Macrobid course.
This will not allow the yeast to grow as your private area’s microbiome starts to decline and prevent the occurrence of a symptomatic yeast infection.
Use Probiotics
Probiotics can also be used to prevent getting a yeast infection. Probiotics are ‘good bacteria’ which can help replenish your microflora disturbed as a result of taking Macrobid.
When the amount of good bacteria is restored, your feminine-area’s pH remains normal and the bacteria put a hold on fungal growth.
Avoid hot baths
Make sure you avoid hot baths or hot tubs. If you have been in one, make sure to change your underwear right away and don’t sit in a wet one for too long.
A wet environment is the most favourable one for fungal growth and the risk of you getting a yeast infection is significantly increased that way.
Don’t wear tight clothing
Make sure to not wear very tight clothing or underwear. Wearing tight underwear can trap moisture in your feminine area, which can enhance the growth of infectious yeast.
It may also irritate your symptoms and is generally not a good thing to do. Always opt for loose and breathable cotton panties.
Avoid douching and other feminine products
Do not douche or use other scented or perfumed feminine-area products while being treated with Macrobid, and also in general. The female anatomy is self-cleaning and it does not require any such product.
This will only disturb your female anatomy’s pH and open the door for a number of infections, including yeast infections.
How to know that you have a yeast infection?
You can know you have a yeast infection if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Itching and irritation in the feminine area
- Vulvar redness
- Burning sensation
- Painful urination
- Soreness in feminine area
- Thick white or water-like discharge
If you do experience some or all of the above-mentioned symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider for a confirmed diagnosis.
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References
1.-
National Library of Medicine. US National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus: Nitrofurantoin [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (NIH); [updated 2021 Apr 15; cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682291.html
2.-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital / vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html.
3.-
National Library of Medicine. US National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus: Fluconazole [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (NIH); [updated 2021 Apr 15; cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a690002.html
