Brand names: Furoxone®
Chemical formula:
- Drug Forms:
- Furazolidone tablets (below)
- Furazolidone oral suspension
Furazolidone tablets
What are furazolidone tablets?
FURAZOLIDONE (Furoxone®) is an antibiotic used to treat infectious diarrhea. Generic furazolidone tablets are available.
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the US.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes
• G6PD deficiency
• an unusual reaction to furazolidone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should this medicine be used?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with furazolidone?
• alcohol
• buproprion
• caffeine
• cocaine
• cyclobenzaprine
• dextromethorphan
• diet pills, stimulants or amphetamine-like drugs
• guarana
• linezolid
• medicines for allergies, colds, hayfever, sinus, and breathing difficulties
• medicines for migraine (such as naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan or Midrin®)
• medicines for high blood pressure and heart medicines
• medicines called MAO inhibitors- examples: phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• medicines for mental depression, anxiety, psychotic disturbances or other mental problems
• meperidine
• procarbazine
• some medications for Parkinson's disease, such as entacapone, levodopa or tolcapone
• St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
• tramadol
• tryptophan
• tyramine—see below for foods that contain tyramine
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking furazolidone?
Because furazolidone may interact with many over-the-counter medications, you must check with your prescriber before taking any non-prescription medicines while on this antibiotic. Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies. Do not take any medications for weight loss. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.
Furazolidone can interact with certain foods that contain tyramine to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses; meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage); beer and ale; alcohol-free beer; wine (especially red); sherry; hard liquor; liqueurs; avocados; bananas; figs; raisins; soy sauce; miso soup; yeast/protein extracts; bean curd; fava or broad bean pods; or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your prescriber or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, or cola. These dietary restrictions should be followed during the course of therapy and should be continued for 4 days after therapy has been discontinued.
Avoid alcohol during and for up to 4 days after taking furazolidone. A serious syndrome (flushing, low blood pressure, slight temperature elevation, difficulty breathing or chest pain or discomfort) can occur.
Notify your health care professional if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing (including myelography); tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have been taking furazolidone.
What side effects may I notice from receiving furazolidone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• chest discomfort or pain
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• flushing
• joint pain
• low or high blood pressure
• rash
• seizures (convulsions)
• weakness
• vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• headache
• nausea
• brown color to the urine
Where can I keep my medicine?
Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Do not expose medication to sunlight. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
Last updated: 12/3/2003 9:25:00 AM
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
