TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

MACRODANTIN (nitrofurantoin, macrocrystalline)

Infectious Disease Approved 1970-06-05

MACRODANTIN is indicated for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection; Pyelonephritis; Perinephric Abscess.

Source: FDA Label • ALMATICA • Nitrofuran Antibacterial

How MACRODANTIN Works

Nitrofurantoin utilizes a unique, multi-targeted mechanism of action. It is reduced by bacterial flavoproteins into highly reactive intermediates that attack and inactivate bacterial ribosomal proteins and other macromolecules. This results in the simultaneous inhibition of vital biochemical processes, including protein synthesis, aerobic energy metabolism, DNA/RNA synthesis, and cell wall synthesis. This broad-based attack is bactericidal in the urine and makes the development of bacterial resistance difficult, as multiple simultaneous mutations would be required for survival.

1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
55
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1970-06-05
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
CAPSULE

Companies

MACRODANTIN Approval History

1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
138 FDA actions from 1970 to 2021
Jan 2021 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Oct 2015 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Oct 2015 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What MACRODANTIN Treats

3 indications

MACRODANTIN is approved for 3 conditions since its original approval in 1970. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Urinary Tract Infection
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Perinephric Abscess
Source: FDA Label

MACRODANTIN Competitive Set

Pro

Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Unlock 8 more competitors across all three rings.
Upgrade to Pro

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to MACRODANTIN

3 of 20

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

NITROFURANTOIN (MONOHYDRATE/MACROCRYSTALS)
NITROFURANTOIN
3 shared
OMSAV PHARMA
Shared indications:
AZACTAM
AZTREONAM
2 shared
Bristol-Myers Squibb
AZTREONAM
AZTREONAM
2 shared
Fresenius Kabi
🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

|
Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

MACRODANTIN FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

MACRODANTIN is indicated for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection; Pyelonephritis; Perinephric Abscess.

Track MACRODANTIN with TheraRadar Pro

Watchlist alerts, full database access, CSV exports across 14,000+ drugs.

Upgrade to Pro

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.