Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Nitrofurantoin can cause serious lung injury. The reaction can occur within
hours of the start of treatment if the patient has previously received
nitrofurantoin or within a few days of starting nitrofurantoin for the first
time. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chills, fever, chest pain, and
cough. In other persons, lung injury may occur after approximately a month of
treatment. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, and cough.
Fortunately, the symptoms usually resolve within a week if the medication is
stopped. In still other persons, lung injury may not develop until after several
months or years of therapy. Unless it is recognized and treated, this delayed
lung injury can result in permanent lung damage that remains even after the drug
is stopped.
A condition known as peripheral neuropathy (damage to the sensory nerves of
the arms and legs), may occur with nitrofurantoin therapy, most commonly causing
tingling in the extremities. The condition can become severe and is more likely
to occur in patients with diabetes mellitus,
vitamin B deficiency, or general
debilitation.
A type of anemia (reduced red blood cell count) called hemolytic anemia can
occur during therapy with nitrofurantoin. This reaction occurs most frequently
in persons with a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase which is very important to the survival of red blood cells.
Nitrofurantoin also can cause liver damage leading to jaundice or a form of
hepatitis which can be fatal. Elevated liver enzymes indicate liver damage and
are a reason to stop the drug.
Treatment with nitrofurantoin can cause urine to change color to a dark
yellow or brown.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
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