Nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease: about two cases

Nitrofurantoin is commonly used in the treatment of urinary tract infection and may cause a potential severe complication: interstitial lung diseases. A 78-year-old and an 87-year-old woman treated with nitrofurantoin since respectively 10 months and 6 years developed cough and dyspnea. Antibiotics were ineffective and interstitial lung disease was found. Nitrofurantoin's stopping allowed a clinical and radiological improvement. A good medical supervision is important when nitrofurantoin is prescribed for a long time. The treatment has to be stopped when respiratory symptoms appear to allow an improvement of the symptoms.