Final answer:
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) is an essential nitrofuran-based antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) is an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). This drug is part of the semicarbazone family, specifically classified as a nitrofuran-based antibiotic. It is synthesized from 5-nitrofuran-2-carbaldehyde and 1-aminoimidazolidine-2,4-dione, as shown in Scheme 1.1.23. Commonly prescribed for bacterial cystitis, nitrofurantoin is effective against most strains of bacteria causing UTIs. While fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole are also options for treating these infections, nitrofurantoin is considered an essential medicine by the World Health Organization.