Nitrofurazone

Absorption

Well absorbed.

Toxicity

Rat LD50 = 590 mg/kg; Allergic contact dermatitis is the most frequently reported adverse effect, occurring in approximately 1 % of patients treated.

Description

Nitrofurazone is an antibacterial agent used in animal feed. Occupational dermatitis was reported in cattle breeders and farmers.

The Uses of Nitrofurazone

Nitrofurazone is a topical anti-infective and bactericide for most pathogens commonly causing surface infections; in the adjunctive therapy of patients with second and third degree bums when bacterial resistance to other agents is areal or potential problem; in skin grafting where bacterial contamination may cause graft rejection and/or donor-site infection; antibacterial agent for the treatment or prevention of infections in a variety of conditions involving skin, eyes, ears, nose and genito-urinary tract; used on pyodermas, ulcers, and wounds; affects some protozoa and is an effective prophylaxis against nosocomial infections; antiseptic lubricant for trans urethral resection; anti-microbial in veterinary medicine.

Background

Nitrofural or nitrofurazone is a topical anti-infective agent effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It is used for superficial wounds, burns, ulcers, and skin infections. Nitrofural has also been administered orally in the treatment of trypanosomiasis.
Except for topical drug products formulated for dermatologic application, the FDA withdrew its approval for the use of drug products containing nitrofurazone.

Indications

For the treatment of bacterial skin infections including pyodermas, infected dermatoses and infections of cuts, wounds, burns and ulcers due to susceptible organisms.

What are the applications of Application

Nitrofurazone is an anti-infective and an antimicrobial

Pharmacokinetics

Nitrofurazone is a topical antibacterial agent indicated as an adjunctive therapy for second and third degree burns when resistance to other agents is a real or potential problem. Nitrofurazone is also indicated in skin grafting when bacterial contamination may cause graft rejection or donor site infection, especially in hospitals with a history of resistant bacteria.

Metabolism

Nitrofurans, including nitrofural, undergo metabolic reduction at the nitro group to generate reactive species which can covalently bind to cellular macromolecules (Polnaszek et al., 1984; Kutcher & McCalla, 1984; McCalla 1979; McCalla et al., 1975).