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 the possibility that it may cause cartilage damage and as it is a DNA-gyrase inhibitor there is a possibility of causing DNA damage too. Nalidixic acid is excreted in breast milk and there is a report of hemolytic anaemia in a breast feed child of an azotemic mother.
⚠️ 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.