Nitrofurantoin-related interstitial lung disease: Case report and literature review

• Main Authors: Emine Arguder, Osama Abuzaina, Ayşegül Karalezli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: Eurasian Journal of Pulmonology
• Subjects: interstitial; lung toxicity; nitrofurantoin
• Online Access: http://www.eurasianjpulmonol.com/article.asp?issn=2148-5402;year=2021;volume=23;issue=1;spage=64;epage=66;aulast=Arguder

Nitrofurantoin is an antimicrobial agent commonly used for urinary tract infections. This drug may cause pulmonary toxicities, the manifestations of which range from acute self-limiting reactions to chronic pathologies. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old male who was admitted with progressive cough and dyspnea for 4 months. On physical examination, his respiratory rate was 26/min and oxygen saturation was 84% at rest while breathing room air. Chest examination revealed bilaterally fine crackles. His thorax computed tomography showed bilateral widespread ground-glass opacities and interlobular and intralobular septal thickening. His blood test revealed antinuclear antibody positivity. He had been using nitrofurantoin for a long time for urinary tract infection. He had a high score on Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. When he was a diagnosed, he had a respiratory failure due to lung damage. Patients using nitrofurantoin should be followed up closely for drug toxicity.