GENERIC NAME: FURAZOLIDONE - ORAL (fyou-razz-OH-leh-doan)
BRAND NAME(S): Furoxone
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication is used in the treatment of diarrhea or enteritis caused by bacteria. It may also be useful in treating traveler's diarrhea, typhoid fever, cholera and salmonella infections.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed usually four times a day. This medication may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. For best results, take each dose at evenly spaced intervals around the clock. This will ensure a constant level of medication in your blood. Take this medication for the full time prescribed. Stopping therapy too soon may result in a reinfection.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or weakness may occur especially the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects become bothersome or severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: a fever, skin rash, itching, muscle aches, flushing, breathing trouble. This medication may cause the urine to turn brown in color. Do not be alarmed. Expect this effect. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: blood disorders (G6PD deficiency), allergies (especially drug allergies). Avoid intake of alcohol during therapy and for 4 days after taking this medication. A reaction causing flushing, fever, chest tightness and breathing difficulties may occur. Use caution performing tasks requiring alertness if this medication makes you feel dizzy. Infants less than one month old should not receive this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: apraclonidine, brimonidine, bethanidine, bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, dextromethorphan, entacapone, herbal products (e.g., ma huang), indoramin, meperidine, papaverine, sibutramine, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram), sympathomimetics (e.g., methylphenidate, ephedrine), tolcapone, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin), "triptans" (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan). If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting furazolidone. Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all medications you use, (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: levodopa, insulin and oral diabetes drugs, other MAO inhibitors (e.g., linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), sedatives, sleeping pills, drugs used for blood pressure. Consult your doctor about the need to watch your intake of foods containing tyramine. It is possible consuming tyramine-containing foods while using this medication could cause headache and/or increased blood pressure and could lead to a medical emergency. Tyramine food precautions should be observed for at least 2 weeks after you stop using this medication. Some tyramine-containing foods include meat or fish (pickled herring/liver/dry sausage/salami/meats prepared with tenderizer), dairy (yogurt/sour cream/aged cheeses - cream or cottage cheese are okay), beverages (beer/red wine/sherry - avoid excessive amounts of caffeine-containing colas/coffee/tea), fruits and vegetables (avocado/bananas/figs/raisins/broad beans/sauerkraut), other (yeast extract/soy sauce/large amounts of chocolate). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: Laboratory tests may be done while taking this medication to monitor its effects.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
SLIDESHOW
Super Tips to Boost Digestive Health: Bloating, Constipation, and More See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a change in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include viral, bacterial, or parasite infection, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and drugs. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
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Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are common symptoms and signs.
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Travelers' Diarrhea
Travelers' diarrhea is generally contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food is the primary source of travelers' diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the cause of up to 70% of all cases of travelers' diarrhea. There are five unique classes of E. coli that causes gastroenteritis. Other bacteria responsible for travelers' diarrhea include Campylobacter, jejuni, shigella, and salmonella. Viruses such as rotavirus and Norwalk virus (norovirus) and giardia lamblia a parasite may cause travelers' diarrhea. Prevention is careful eating and drinking of water.
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Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The illness is contracted by ingesting the bacteria in contaminated water or food. Symptoms include headaches, fever, diarrhea, lethargy, aches and pains, and poor appetite. Treatment focuses on killing the Salmonella bacteria with antibiotics.
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Cholera
Cholera is an infectious disease characterized by intense vomiting and profuse watery diarrhea and that rapidly lease to dehydration and often death. Cholera is caused by infection with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which may be transmitted via infected fecal matter, food, or water.
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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.