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What Are The Long Term Side Effects Of Nitrofurantoin?
Question: I have been taking prophylactic nitrofurantoin for 15 years for chronic UTI's. Recently my urologist switched me to Trimethoprim because of concern with long term use of nitrofurantoin and pulmonary side effects. The trimethoprim does not seem to be working though to prevent UTIs. Have had two since starting only 4 weeks ago. My question .... is there any other antibiotic that can be used as a preventative? I'm also prone to yeast infections so that is a major concern for me as well.
Brief Answer:
Yes drugs are available.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation
I realize that you have been taking nitrifuantoin since long for UTI.Chronic pulmonary reactions have been seen after 6 months of therapy and were generally more severe. Other problems include peripheral neuropathy, Hepatitis, etc have developed after a few days to several months of therapy. It is advisable to change the drugs. But in your case I see septran is not effective. I suggest you to get early morning urine examination done for gram staining microscopy and culture sensitivity test for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for consecutive 3 days. Take the treatment accordingly. Yes other antibiotics are available if trimethoprim is not working like norflox, amikacin, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, etc. Get Ultrasound KUB done to assess structural defects if any.Monitor kideney function tests. Get blood sugar levels done. Drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits. As for your yeast infection you can take flucanazole after prescription from a physician.In many instances a report from the clinical laboratory indicating candiduria represents colonization or procurement contamination of the specimen and not invasive candidia infection. It must be documented by repeated tests. Keep your genitourinary area clean.
You can take a follow-up query. If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer and write a review.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Infectious diseases Specialist
Yes drugs are available.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation
I realize that you have been taking nitrifuantoin since long for UTI.Chronic pulmonary reactions have been seen after 6 months of therapy and were generally more severe. Other problems include peripheral neuropathy, Hepatitis, etc have developed after a few days to several months of therapy. It is advisable to change the drugs. But in your case I see septran is not effective. I suggest you to get early morning urine examination done for gram staining microscopy and culture sensitivity test for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for consecutive 3 days. Take the treatment accordingly. Yes other antibiotics are available if trimethoprim is not working like norflox, amikacin, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, etc. Get Ultrasound KUB done to assess structural defects if any.Monitor kideney function tests. Get blood sugar levels done. Drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits. As for your yeast infection you can take flucanazole after prescription from a physician.In many instances a report from the clinical laboratory indicating candiduria represents colonization or procurement contamination of the specimen and not invasive candidia infection. It must be documented by repeated tests. Keep your genitourinary area clean.
You can take a follow-up query. If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer and write a review.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Infectious diseases Specialist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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