title: Nitrofurantoin pulmonary toxicity: neglected threat.
abstract: Nitrofurantoin lung toxicity was diagnosed among ten patients receiving 50 mg/day to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection. In six patients a symptomatic period of 3-36 months preceded the diagnosis. All but one patient, with irreversible lung injury at presentation recovered completely, five after drug discontinuation and four after steroids therapy. Large amount of data regarding unexpected, sometimes severe pulmonary toxicity during nitrofurantoin therapy should maintain a high index of suspicion for the drug usage among patients with non-resolving pulmonary symptoms. Alternatively, the use of other anti-microbial agents with a better risk-to-benefit ratio should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hardak
authors.forename: Gidon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krivoy
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solomonov
authors.forename: Mordechai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yigla
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009582:Nitrofurantoin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D009582:Nitrofurantoin