Extended-Release Tablets of Nitrofurantoin: An Old Antibiotic Carried in a New Formulation

Nitrofurantoin is an old antibiotic currently prescribed to treat urinary tract infections. High dosing frequency causes fluctuations in the drug plasma concentration making less desirable prescription. This work was aimed to overcome these shortcomings by developing extended-release formulations. Tablets were prepared using nitrofurantoin and crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as hydrophilic polymer matrices. Modified tablets containing HPMC exhibited adequate swelling, erosion, and dissolution profiles and showed potential to decrease the frequency of administrations and reduce fluctuations in the drug plasma concentration. This would result in higher therapeutic effect and increases patient compliance by reducing adverse effects.