In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial (topical)

Nitrofurazone ( nye-tro-FYOOR-a-zone) is used to treat burns that have become infected. It is also used to treat skin infections due to skin grafts. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Nitrofurazone may be applied directly to the skin or placed on a gauze pad that will cover the skin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form(s):

Topical
• Cream (U.S.)
• Soluble Dressing (U.S.)
• Solution (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nitrofurazone, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nitrofurazone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical nitrofurazone has not been studied in pregnant women. Nitrofurazone given to rabbits in oral doses thirty times greater than the human dose produced a slight increase in the number of stillbirths.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical nitrofurazone passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of nitrofurazone in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of nitrofurazone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

• Kidney disease—Certain ingredients (polyethylene glycols) in the topical solution and the soluble dressing may be absorbed through the skin and may not be eliminated from the body normally in patients with kidney function impairment, which may increase the chance of side effects. Nitrofurazone cream does not contain polyethylene glycol.

Apply sufficient medication to affected area or place medication on gauze and cover the affected area.

Dosing—

The dose of nitrofurazone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of nitrofurazone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For cream dosage form:
  • Burns or skin infections:
    • Adults—Apply directly to the lesion, or place on gauze that will cover the lesion, once daily or every few days, depending on the usual dressing technique of the affected area.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For soluble dressing dosage form:
  • Burns or skin infections:
    • Adults—Apply directly to the lesion or place on gauze that will cover the lesion, depending on the usual dressing technique of the affected area.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • Burns:
    • Adults—Apply directly to the burn.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from excessive heat.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight or strong fluorescent lighting.
• Keep away from alkaline materials, such as soap and ammonia.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your burn or skin infection does not improve, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Itching;  rash;  swelling 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.