Nifuratel (brand name Macmiror, or — in combination with nystatin, — Macmiror Complex) is a drug used in

gynecology Gynaecology or gynecology (see American and British English spelling differences, spelling differences) is the area of medicine that involves the treatment of women's diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs. It is often paired with ...

. It is a local

antiprotozoal Antiprotozoal agents ( ATC code: ATC P01) is a class of pharmaceuticals used in treatment of protozoan infection. A paraphyletic group, protozoans have little in common with each other. For example, ''Entamoeba histolytica'', a unikont eukar ...

and

antifungal An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis (thrush), serious systemic infections such as ...

agent that may also be given orally. Nifuratel is not approved for use in the United States. Nifuratel appears to have a broad antibacterial spectrum of action and is effective against '' Chlamydia trachomatis'' and ''

Mycoplasma ''Mycoplasma'' is a genus of bacteria that, like the other members of the class '' Mollicutes'', lack a cell wall around their cell membranes. Peptidoglycan ( murein) is absent. This characteristic makes them naturally resistant to antibioti ...

spp.'' as well as fungal infections from '' Candida spp.'' Taken orally, or as a vaginal pessary, it is used in the treatment of a wide range of infections of the genito-urinary tract, especially if there is no accurate diagnosis available. For example, it may be used in the treatment of women exhibiting

vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina. This mixture is constantly produced by the cells of the vagina and cervix, and it exits the body through the vaginal opening. The composition, amou ...

where there is uncertainty as to whether the cause is ''

Trichomonas vaginalis ''Trichomonas vaginalis'' is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of a sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis. It is the most common pathogenic protozoan that infects humans in industrialized countri ...

'' or ''Candida'' strains such as ''

Candida albicans ''Candida albicans'' is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a common member of the human gut flora. It can also survive outside the human body. It is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth in 40–60% of healthy adults. It is usu ...

''. Side effects appear to be minimal or non-existent and it has a safe toxicological profile.

References

{{Gynecological anti-infectives and antiseptics Thioethers 2-Oxazolidinones Nitrofurans