Chronic Nitrofurantoin Pulmonary Reaction

Abstract

In five cases diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis, or both (as proved by lung biopsy), was seen after long-term therapy with nitrofurantoin. The acute form of nitrofurantoin pneumonitis is characterized by the sudden onset of cough, dyspnea and fever, and the rapid disappearance of the symptoms and findings when the use of the drug is discontinued. The chronic form is insidious in onset, is not associated with a febrile reaction, produces a nonspecific histologic and radiologic picture of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis or fibrosis, or both, and may be at least partially reversible when the drug therapy is discontinued and steroids are employed.