indication

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

pharmacology

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.

mechanism of action

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.

toxicity

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

biotransformation

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).

absorption

Well absorbed.

half life

5 hours