Monurol
Monurol is an antibiotic containing the active ingredient fosfomycin (in the form of fosfomycin trometamol). It is administered as a single dose. Women and adolescent girls over the age of 12 receive it on the doctor's prescription when they are suffering from acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis).
Your doctor may also prescribe this antibiotic before examinations in the prostate region (transrectal biopsy of the prostate), in order to prevent infections.
What Does Monurol Contain?
Active ingredients
One sachet of granules for oral solution (8 g) contains 3 g of fosfomycin in the form of trometamol salt.
Excipients
Sucrose, saccharin (E954), mandarin flavour (contains sodium and sucrose) and orange flavour (contains sodium).
Forms and Strengths
The following packaging is available:
Monurol 3 g: 1 sachet of granules for drinking solution.
Uses
For the treatment of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women and adolescents (over 12 years of age): 1 sachet of Monurol 3 g.
For use as antibiotic prophylaxis during transrectal biopsy of the prostate, the recommended dose is 1 sachet (3 g of fosfomycin) 3 hours before the procedure and 1 sachet (3 g of fosfomycin) 24 hours after the procedure.
Take this drug on an empty stomach, i.e. 2-3 hours before or after a meal, preferably in the evening after emptying the bladder. Dissolve Monurol in a glass of water and drink it immediately.
This medicine must not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance © 10 ml/min).
To date, the use and safety of Monurol have not been tested in children under the age of 12.
Side Effects
If you develop any of the following symptoms while taking Monurol, you must stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately:
- Anaphylactic shock, a critical and life-threatening allergic reaction. It often presents suddenly with symptoms such as skin rashes, itching, or hives, along with respiratory issues like shortness of breath, wheezing, or breathing difficulties.
- Significant swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat, which may impede breathing, a condition referred to as angioedema.
- Moderate to severe diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, blood in the stools or fever, which may mean you have an infection of the large intestine. Do not take drugs for diarrhoea that inhibit intestinal transit (antiperistalsis).
Common (affects 1 to 10 people in 100)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Infection of the female genital organs with symptoms such as inflammation, irritation and itching (vulvovaginitis).
Occasional (affects 1 to 10 people in 1000)
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itching
Unknown frequency
- Allergic reactions
- Angioedema
Precautions
This drug is not suitable for children under the age of 12.
Talk to your doctor before using Monurol if you suffer from any of the following conditions:
- Persistent bladder infections;
- Severe impairment of renal function (renal failure with creatinine clearance < 10 ml/min);
- History of diarrhoea after taking another antibiotic.
In the event of the appearance of severe and continuous diarrhoea during or after antibiotic treatment, please inform your doctor immediately so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
If diarrhoea occurs, you should not take any medication that inhibits intestinal peristalsis (bowel movement).
Monurol may cause serious allergic reactions.
If you develop any of the following symptoms while taking Monurol, you must stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately:
- Anaphylactic shock, a type of severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include the sudden appearance of a rash, difficulty breathing, itching or hives on the skin or shortness of breath, wheezing;
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat with difficulty in breathing (angioedema).
Concomitant use of metoclopramide (an active ingredient in the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract) should be avoided, as it reduces the effect of Monurol. For this reason, this medicine should be administered 2 to 3 hours before or at least 2 to 3 hours after these medicines, to ensure a sufficient effect.
Please inform your doctor if you are taking anticoagulants, as their ability to prevent your blood from clotting may be impaired by fosfomycin and other antibiotics.
Food may delay the absorption of fosfomycin. Consequently, this medicine should be taken on an empty stomach (2 to 3 hours before or 2 to 3 hours after a meal).
As Monurol may cause dizziness, responsiveness, driving ability and the ability to use tools or machines may be affected.
What else do you need to consider?
It is possible that, after taking Monurol, your pain will persist for some time. Don't worry, this is normal for the healing process. Drink plenty of fluids to promote healing.
If you are still experiencing severe pain three days after taking Monurol, please contact your doctor if you have not yet scheduled a check-up.
How can you prevent inflammation?
- During your daily intimate hygiene routine: cleanse from front to back.
- Drink plenty of fluids (e.g. tea, water) to "wash" the kidneys and bladder.
- Urinating regularly prevents overfilling of the bladder and bacterial growth in the bladder.
- Self-treatment of urinary tract infections can be risky. Treatment is your doctor's job.
The antibiotic contained in Monurol is not effective against all micro-organisms that cause infectious diseases. Using the wrong antibiotic or the wrong dose can lead to complications. Do not use it on your own to treat other illnesses or other people.
Do not take this antibiotic with meals. This reduces its effect.
When should Monurol not be used?
Drug should not be used in the event of hypersensitivity to fosfomycin or to one of the components.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Inform your physician if you are currently pregnant or nursing. They will assess whether it is safe for you to use Monurol during this period.