Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals is a crystalline form of nitrofurantoin, a nitrofuran antibacterial active pharmaceutical ingredient primarily used for the treatment of susceptible urinary tract infections. The macrocrystalline form is produced with controlled crystal size and has slower dissolution characteristics than conventional nitrofurantoin.
Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals is an established pharmaceutical API used in the development and manufacture of oral antibacterial formulations.
Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals is a specialized antibacterial pharmaceutical API used in oral formulations for urinary tract infections.
Important quality attributes include identity, assay, related substances, crystal form, particle-size characteristics, moisture/water content and residual solvents, according to the applicable API specification.
CAS Number: 67-20-9
Molecular Formula: C₈H₆N₄O₅
Molecular Weight: 238.16 g/mol
Chemical Name: 1-[[[5-Nitro-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-2,4-imidazolidinedione
Drug Class: Nitrofuran Antibacterial
Therapeutic Class: Urinary Antibacterial
Therapeutic Area: Infectious Diseases / Urology
Molecule Type: Synthetic Small Molecule
The molecular formula and molecular weight are confirmed for anhydrous nitrofurantoin macrocrystals by FDA/DailyMed and USP information.
Nitrofurantoin is reduced by bacterial flavoproteins to reactive intermediates that damage bacterial cellular components, including DNA and other macromolecules. This produces antibacterial activity against susceptible urinary pathogens.
Its activity is associated with interference with bacterial DNA, RNA, protein and cell-wall-related processes.
Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals API is used for:
Nitrofurantoin macrocrystal capsules are specifically indicated for certain urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals is described as a stable yellow to lemon-yellow crystalline compound. The macrocrystalline form is distinguished by its controlled crystal size.
Melting point: approximately 263°C, with decomposition reported. Other literature sources report values in the approximately 270–272°C range with decomposition, depending on the analytical reference and conditions.
Water solubility: approximately 79.5 mg/L at 24°C according to a reported experimental value; other sources describe nitrofurantoin as very slightly soluble in water.
Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals is a specific controlled-crystal-size form of anhydrous nitrofurantoin. It should not be confused with nitrofurantoin monohydrate.
Nitrofurantoin monohydrate has the molecular formula C₈H₆N₄O₅·H₂O and molecular weight approximately 256.18 g/mol, whereas macrocrystalline nitrofurantoin has molecular weight 238.16 g/mol.
Typical quality-control testing for Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals may include:
The USP monograph specifies that nitrofurantoin contains 98.0%–102.0% of the active substance, calculated on the anhydrous basis.
Store Nitrofurantoin Macrocrystals in a tightly closed container, protected from excessive moisture, heat and direct light. Final storage conditions should be based on validated stability data and the applicable manufacturer/API specification.
Nitrofurantoin can undergo discoloration with exposure to light and alkaline conditions.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or crystals |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 1.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.0% |
| Melting Point | Approximately 263°C |