Nitrofural (Nitrofurazone)

Nitrofurazone 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.

Therapeutic actions:
The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Nitrofurazone inhibits several bacterial enzymes, especially those involved in the aerobic and anaerobic degradation of glucose and pyruvate. This activity is believed also to affect pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase, malate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, and pyruvate decarboxylase.

What is it used for?:
An antibacterial effective against a wide variety of gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, Nitrofurazone Cream is used topically as a local anti-infective in skin lesions including wounds, burns, skin infections, and ulcers; to aid healing and prevent infection.

Contraindications and cautions:
• Allergic reaction to nitrofurazone or any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes;
• 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.

Side effects:
• Itching;
• rash;
• swelling.

Interactions:
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.