Pulmonary Fibrosis Due to Nitrofurantoin Therapy: A Case Report (original) (raw)

Spontaneous resolution of nitrofurantoin-induced chronic pulmonary toxicity presenting with respiratory failure

Advances in respiratory medicine, 2017

Nitrofurantoin is one of the most common drugs implicated in drug-induced pulmonary toxicities, the manifestations of which range from dose-independent acute self-limiting reactions to chronic dose-dependent pathologies. The severity of these pulmonary adverse effects may range from trivial hypersensitivity reactions to extensive and irreversible lung fibrosis leading to respiratory failure and death. Symptomatic and supportive treatment in addition to discontinuation of the drug usually suffices for the management of mild reactions. Corticosteroids have been traditionally used to relieve the symptoms and hasten the resolution of pulmonary lesions in case of severe toxicities. However conclusive evidence in the form of controlled studies in favor of this routine use is lacking. We report a case of an elderly lady who presented to us in respiratory failure due to nitrofurantoin induced chronic lung disease. The patient's symptoms and blood gas abnormalities resolved spontaneously...

Nitrofurantoin-induced lung- and hepatotoxicity

Annals of hepatology

We present the case of a patient referred to the gastroenterology service for investigation of abnormal liver function tests. She had been taking nitrofurantoin for 16 months as prophylaxis against urinary tract infections. CT scan showed evidence of lung pneumonitis and low attenuation in the liver parenchyma. Nitrofurantoin-induced pneumonitis and hepatotoxicity was diagnosed. The patient responded both clinically and biochemically to withdrawal of nitrofurantoin. This combination of adverse reaction to nitrofurantoin is rare.

Fatal nitrofurantoin lung

PubMed, 2013

Nitrofurantoin is a drug commonly used for urinary tract infections. It acts by damaging bacterial DNA. It is given in dose of 50-100 mg orally and is generally considered a safe drug but has occasionally been known to cause pulmonary toxicity which is usually reversible and only rarely fatal. We present a case of an elderly lady receiving nitrofurantoin for her urinary tract infection who developed sudden acute lung injury to which she finally succumbed within a few weeks.

Long-term nitrofurantoin: analysis of complication awareness, monitoring and pulmonary injury cases

BJGP open, 2021

BACKGROUND Long-term nitrofurantoin (NF) treatment can result in pulmonary and hepatic injury. Current guidelines do not outline the type or frequency of monitoring required for detection of these injuries. AIMS To assess (1) awareness of NF complications among prescribers, (2) monitoring practice and (3) to describe the pulmonary sequelae of NF-related complications. METHODS (1) Electronic questionnaire to prescribers, interrogating prescribing/monitoring practices and awareness of complications; (2) Case-note review (June-July 2020) of NF monitoring among general practitioners (GPs) in our local clinical commissioning group; (3) Case review of patients diagnosed with nitrofurantoin-induced interstitial lung disease (NFILD) at our interstitial lung disease (ILD) centre (2014-2020). RESULTS 125 prescribers of long-term NF responded to the questionnaire (82% GPs; 12% urologists). Many were unaware of the potential for liver (42%) and lung (28%) complications. 41% and 53% never monito...

Nitrofurantoin-associated Acute Pulmonary Toxicity Mimicking Severe Sepsis with Significantly Elevated Procalcitonin

Cureus

Nitrofurantoin is a commonly used treatment for urinary tract infections with a risk for pulmonary toxicity. We report a case of a 48-year-old woman on a prophylactic regimen of nitrofurantoin who exhibited classic signs of bacterial sepsis including elevated procalcitonin (PCL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels two days post-nephrolithotripsy. The microbial analysis did not reveal an infectious cause for the initial symptoms and, subsequently, the patient developed a dry cough, fever, chills, and transient hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen. Pulmonary imaging revealed significant abnormal features inconsistent with the patient's symptoms which indicated an inflammatory/immune reaction to nitrofurantoin. Treatment discontinuation improved the patient's symptoms and reduced PCL and CRP levels to within normal limits. A high index of suspicion for nitrofurantoin-associated pulmonary toxicity is warranted for patients on a regimen of nitrofurantoin who exhibit severe pulmonary symptoms and elevated PCL and CRP levels with no corresponding infection.

Long-term nitrofurantoin: an analysis of complication awareness, monitoring, and pulmonary injury cases

BJGP Open, 2021

BackgroundLong-term nitrofurantoin (NF) treatment can result in pulmonary and hepatic injury. Current guidelines do not outline the type or frequency of monitoring required for detection of these injuries.AimTo assess 1) awareness of NF complications among prescribers; 2) monitoring practice; and 3) to describe the pulmonary sequelae of NF-related complications.Design & settingEvaluation of prescribing habits by questionnaires and review of GP databases, and case-note review in secondary care.MethodThe following study procedures were undertaken: 1) an electronic questionnaire was distributed to prescribers, interrogating prescribing and monitoring practices, and awareness of complications; 2) an analysis was undertaken (June–July 2020) of NF monitoring among GPs in the local clinical commissioning group (CCG); and 3) a case review was carried out of patients diagnosed with NF-induced interstitial lung disease (NFILD) at the interstitial lung disease (ILD) centre (2014–2020).ResultsA...