DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Nalidixic Acid Suspension (nal-ih-DIK-sik)
Brand Name: NegGram

Nalidixic Acid Suspension is used for:

Treating urinary tract infections caused by certain bacteria.

Nalidixic Acid Suspension is an antibacterial. It works by killing sensitive bacteria in the urinary tract by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Nalidixic Acid Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Nalidixic Acid Suspension
• you have the blood disease porphyria or a history of convulsions
• you are undergoing cancer chemotherapy with the medicine melphalan or related medicines, or you are taking antiarrhythmics for abnormal heartbeat (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Nalidixic Acid Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Nalidixic Acid Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have Alzheimer disease, central nervous system disease, hardening of the arteries in your brain, increased pressure in your brain, liver problems, sensitivity to the sun, severe kidney problems, or a family history of heartbeat problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nalidixic Acid Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), certain medicines that affect heartbeat (eg, cisapride, erythromycin, amitriptyline), cyclosporine, melphalan, or theophylline because the risk of side effects may be increased by Nalidixic Acid Suspension
• Probenecid because the effectiveness of Nalidixic Acid Suspension may be decreased and the risk of side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nalidixic Acid Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Nalidixic Acid Suspension:

Use Nalidixic Acid Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Nalidixic Acid Suspension may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Do not take products containing magnesium (eg, quinapril, didanosine, vitamins), aluminum, calcium, sucralfate, iron, or zinc preparations within 2 to 3 hours of taking Nalidixic Acid Suspension. These products bind with the medicine preventing its absorption.
• Shake well before using. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure this dose.
• Drink a full glass of water with each dose. Drink several additional glasses of water daily unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do not drink products with caffeine while taking Nalidixic Acid Suspension.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Nalidixic Acid Suspension for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Nalidixic Acid Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nalidixic Acid Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Nalidixic Acid Suspension can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Nalidixic Acid Suspension. Using Nalidixic Acid Suspension alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Nalidixic Acid Suspension may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Nalidixic Acid Suspension. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your health care provider at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your health care provider.
• Nalidixic Acid Suspension is effective only against bacterial. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Nalidixic Acid Suspension for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Nalidixic Acid Suspension and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Nalidixic Acid Suspension and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Nalidixic Acid Suspension may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• Diabetes patients - Nalidixic Acid Suspension may cause false test results with some urine glucose tests. Check with your doctor before you adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine or change your diet.
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Nalidixic Acid Suspension with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age. Nalidixic Acid Suspension is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 3 months of age; or younger than 9 years of age with diarrhea or a gastrointestinal infection.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Nalidixic Acid Suspension during pregnancy. It is unknown if Nalidixic Acid Suspension is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Nalidixic Acid Suspension.

Possible side effects of Nalidixic Acid Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; nausea; rash; stomach pain or discomfort; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred or decreased vision; burning or tingling sensation; changes in color vision; convulsions; decrease in ability to sense pain, temperature, or body position; double vision; itching; numbness; pain; pain, redness, or swelling of a tendon; seeing halos around lights; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include seizures; unusual sluggishness.

Proper storage of Nalidixic Acid Suspension:

Store Nalidixic Acid Suspension at room temperature, below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nalidixic Acid Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Nalidixic Acid Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Nalidixic Acid Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nalidixic Acid Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.