CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Urinary tract infection (lower) - men - Management
What adverse effects are associated with nitrofurantoin?
Adverse effects associated with nitrofurantoin
- Pulmonary: nitrofurantoin-associated pulmonary reactions are reported in less than 1% of people treated with nitrofurantoin. Common manifestations are dry cough, chest pain, dyspnoea, and hypoxemia. Skin rash, arthralgia, and elevated liver enzymes are occasionally present. Chest imaging shows patchy infiltrates and fibrosis. Treatment includes stopping the medication and prescribing a course of corticosteroids [Vahid and Wildemore, 2006].
- Gastrointestinal: nausea and anorexia have been reported. Vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea are less common gastrointestinal reactions.
- Peripheral neuropathy (including optical neuritis), with symptoms of sensory as well as motor involvement, has been reported infrequently.
- Stop treatment at the first sign of neurological involvement.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement