Indications
Nalidixic acid is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, including Proteus species, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species and Escherichia coli.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Nalidixic acid is a synthetic antibacterial with a narrow spectrum of activity. Depending on the concentration used, it can either stop bacteria from multiplying or kill them outright. It works by blocking bacterial DNA synthesis, likely by interfering with the DNA polymerization process. After oral dosing, it is absorbed quickly and almost completely from the gastrointestinal tract, and the parent drug along with its active metabolites reach most body tissues, with especially high concentrations in the kidney and urine. When kidney function is normal, its half-life runs from 1.1 to 2.5 hours; if kidney function is impaired, this can stretch to as long as 21 hours. The drug is cleared from the body quickly, with excretion nearly complete within 24 hours.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
There is a possibility that nalidixic acid may damage cartilage. Because it works by inhibiting DNA gyrase, it may also cause DNA damage. Nalidixic acid passes into breast milk, and there is a report of haemolytic anaemia in a breastfed child whose mother had azotaemia.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.