Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that concentrates in the urine, where bacteria turn it into reactive substances that damage their DNA and proteins. It is used to treat and prevent uncomplicated bladder infections. It is sold as Macrobid and Macrodantin, among other names.
In people with G6PD deficiency, nitrofurantoin can trigger haemolysis, the breakdown of red blood cells, because their red cells cope poorly with oxidative stress. G6PD deficiency is common in people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian ancestry and more frequent in men, since the gene lies on the X chromosome. CPIC has published a guideline on G6PD that covers nitrofurantoin, and the US label mentions it.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Macrobid. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
CPIC guideline: G6PD. Normal · Indeterminate · Deficient · Deficient with CNSHA · Variable. Strong.
US FDA: G6PD. Deficient · Deficient with CNSHA · Variable.
Every published finding on gene variants and Macrobid. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
G6PD G6PD A- 202A_376G, G6PD B (reference): Level 3. Toxicity: Hemolysis, Hemolytic Anemia. 3.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antibiotics (class) (Antibiotics)
Agenerase (Protease Inhibitors)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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