Indication

urinary tract infection

RAG rating

n/a

Document type

Patient information

Place

Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB

Output type

Pharmacy / Prescribing

Document

Download

Nitrofurantoin oral solution to capsules switch Patient Letter

Dear Patient

The NHS carries out regular reviews of medicines to make sure that patients continue to receive high quality and effective treatment that costs the NHS less.

The latest review involves a change in one of the medications on your prescription. The full details of the change are shown below and this change in your medication will be given to you when you collect your next repeat prescription. You will now be given capsules instead of oral solution. A helpful benefit of this change is that you may find these capsules easier to store and carry. They do not require measuring and can be more convenient to take.

This new medicine contains the same active ingredient (Nitrofurantoin) as your old medication. Please finish taking all the oral solution you currently have before starting on the new capsules. Please note the new medication contains lactose which may not be suitable if you are intolerant to it. The capsules are made of gelatin which may not be suitable if you are on a vegan/vegetarian diet. Contact your GP surgery if you have any concerns.

Please read the information leaflet given with your new nitrofurantoin capsules carefully before you start using this medicine. Using the new medication will be different as you will need to swallow them whole.

To obtain your next supply of medicines more efficiently, you can order a repeat prescription by logging into your account using the NHS app which may be downloaded from the NHS website.  We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you to only order the medicines you need each time you resubmit your repeat prescription request as this helps minimise medicine waste.    

If you are concerned or wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact the practice or community pharmacy.