Hepatitis due to nitrofurantoin

Abstract

Objective: To report three cases of hepatitis related to the use of nitrofurantoin. Clinical features: Two patients who had been taking nitrofurantoin for several years, presented with severe liver failure. In both, the drug had been continued despite evidence of liver injury. A third patient presented with acute hepatitis after six weeks of nitrofurantoin therapy. Intervention and outcome: One of the patients with liver failure died and the other underwent a successful liver transplantation. The third patient recovered after withdrawal of the drug. Conclusion: These cases emphasise the potential for serious hepatic reactions with nitrofurantoin, the danger of continuing the drug once liver ..