Nitrofurantoin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: A safety review
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
26321823
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85135920635
Journal Title
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance
Volume
4
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance Vol.4 No.3 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Recht J., Chansamouth V., White N.J., Ashley E.A. Nitrofurantoin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: A safety review. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance Vol.4 No.3 (2022). doi:10.1093/jacamr/dlac045 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85800
Title
Nitrofurantoin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: A safety review
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Nitrofurantoin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic available since 1953, is used widely for the treatment of urinary tract infections as it often retains activity against drug-resistant uropathogens. It is contraindicated in pregnant women at term, and in neonates. Like trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin carries a warning for patients with known sensitivity to oxidant drugs, notably glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, in whom it may cause haemolytic anaemia. This is a barrier to uptake in tropical regions where there is a high burden of antimicrobial resistance and where G6PD deficiency is common. Early studies of erythrocyte survival following nitrofurantoin suggest it is less likely to cause oxidant haemolysis in individuals with G6PD deficiency than primaquine. Here we review reports of haemolysis associated with nitrofurantoin from the published literature and from USA (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System; FAERS) and European (VigiBase) pharmacovigilance databases. In total, 318 episodes of haemolytic anaemia were reported and 10 deaths, with 42 (13%) in individuals with confirmed or highly probable G6PD deficiency, out of at least 245 million exposures. A causal link between death and exposure was not reported and a precise risk estimation in G6PD-deficient individuals was not possible as there are few reports from regions where this enzymopathy is most prevalent. The evidence suggests a total daily dose of 200âmg nitrofurantoin may be used for short (3-5âday) course urinary tract infection treatment without G6PD screening when accompanied by appropriate advice. Pharmacovigilance in countries with high prevalence of G6PD-deficiency is recommended to monitor for serious adverse events.