Fosfomycin
Generic Monurol
Fosfomycin is a generic medication prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fosfomycin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.
Fosfomycin is a generic medication prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fosfomycin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on August 24, 2023
Fosfomycin is a generic medication prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fosfomycin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.
Side effects
Side effects of fosfomycin
Fosfomycin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fosfomycin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about fosfomycin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for fosfomycin listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of fosfomycin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about fosfomycin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for fosfomycin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Fosfomycin granule for oral solution’s mild side effects include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- nausea
- vaginitis (vaginal inflammation that can cause itching, pain, and discharge)
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fosfomycin” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of fosfomycin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about fosfomycin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for fosfomycin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, fosfomycin’s serious side effects include:
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)-associated diarrhea (severe watery or bloody diarrhea)
- liver problems
- vision problems
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fosfomycin” section.
FAQs
Common questions about fosfomycin
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fosfomycin.
What brand names are available for fosfomycin?
Fosfomycin is available as the brand-name drug, Monurol. Fosfomycin is the generic version of this brand-name product.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
To learn more about brand name versions of fosfomycin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is fosfomycin similar to ciprofloxacin?
Yes, fosfomycin is similar to ciprofloxacin because they’re both antibiotics. But they’re different kinds of antibiotics.
Both drugs can treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), but this is the only approved use for fosfomycin. Ciprofloxacin is prescribed treat several types of bacterial infections, including UTIs and more serious infections involving the kidneys.
Fosfomycin and ciprofloxacin can also cause different side effects. While severe diarrhea is possible with both drugs, ciprofloxacin has several other potentially serious side effects. This includes a boxed warning about muscle and nerve problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fosfomycin doesn’t have this boxed warning.
To find out more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does fosfomycin work? And how long does it take to start working?
Fosfomycin works by killing bacteria that cause a UTI. This helps your body clear the infection and relieves symptoms, such as pain or burning with urination.
Fosfomycin will start working to kill bacteria right after you take the one-time dose. But it can take up to 2–3 days for your symptoms to improve. If you still have symptoms after 2–3 days, call your doctor.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of fosfomycin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fosfomycin for certain conditions. Approved uses for fosfomycin are described below.
Use for urinary tract infection
Doctors may prescribe fosfomycin granules to mix with water for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs). It’s used for this purpose in adults and children 13 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With UTIs, bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body). In most cases, the bacteria cause an infection in the bladder. This infection is called cystitis. Fosfomycin can help treat cystitis.
Doctors may not prescribe fosfomycin in certain situations, such as for more serious infections or infections higher up in the urinary tract in the kidneys. Fosfomycin isn’t approved to treat this type of UTI.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for fosfomycin
Below, you’ll find information about fosfomycin’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of fosfomycin
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take fosfomycin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for fosfomycin” section below.
Warnings for fosfomycin
Fosfomycin should not be taken by certain people.
Fosfomycin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fosfomycin is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for fosfomycin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Fosfomycin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fosfomycin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fosfomycin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to fosfomycin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of fosfomycin
If you take fosfomycin by mouth, you should not take more fosfomycin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much fosfomycin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fosfomycin
Information about fosfomycin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Fosfomycin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether fosfomycin should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Fosfomycin and breastfeeding
Fosfomycin should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with fosfomycin.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about fosfomycin or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How should I take fosfomycin?
- What should I do if my symptoms continue after taking fosfomycin?
- How does fosfomycin compare with other antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fc25635d-7449-4853-8a6e-b5b4b53fbd03/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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