I was taking NITROFURANTOIN for recurring urine infections for 2 years. Last June I became jaundice and was hospitalised for a couple of weeks for tests. Docs said it was the drug!.... but never told me to stop until I "complained".
Bilirubin was over 300 by this time!
Stopping the drug had made all blood levels nearly normal after several months. I have my bloods taken every 3 months.
I've had every scan going. The biopsy couldn't find the drug so I have no real answers to my injury. They did call it Subacute hepatic necrosis but they had to call it something according to one of the doctors.
My last was a fibroscan.. scoring 17.9!..indicating there's still a problem, bearing in mind bloods are practically normal.
The problem is I can still feel my liver doesn't cope. No matter what I do - eat, drink, exercise, it doesn't feel better. They say it's the capsules around the liver but surely after a year all should of healed. I was told that is not alcohol related (don't really drink either).
I'm hoping there maybe someone out there who's had similar problems and some advice as it's getting me down. Thank you for taking time to read this.
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deeksy
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I know what you mean. I was diagnosed with nafld last year and Nash in January, it's been going on 2 years!! They said it's down to drugs drs have prescribed me!! Told I need to lose weight, thyroid tabs have recently been increased, if that doesn't work I will be back to square 1. I've been told my diet is spot on. If I don't lose the weight I will end up with cirrhosis!!
You sound better than me which is good. Sorry to harp on, lots of love Lynne
The US government has a website dedicated to drug-induced liver damage livertox.gov. I just saw that there is an entry on the drug you were being prescribed. I did not read the whole entry, but it says that nitrofurantoin is one of the most common causes of drug-induced liver damage. This site usually is very informative, so maybe you just give it a read.
Hi, thanks so much for your post as I was on that very same tablet for same reason. Without me asking, I've been put on Trimethoprin 10pm. No-one told me effect on liver, thank you
Hey Jules. I'm now on trimethoprim again after it got counter acted from other meds. My kidney doc says it's safe and has no known effects on the liver x
It would appear from your fibroscan that you have indeed suffered significant damage to your liver but now blood results are stable.
My hubby presented with late stage cirrhosis symptoms in April 2012 - completely out of the blue, life long tee-total, very fit and active, carrying no excess weight or anything. DIagnosis came after blood test results showed 'rogue antibodies' - biopsy was inconclusive. Doctors plumped for 'burned out Auto-Immune Hepatitis' i.e. he had an auto-immune response at sometime which damaged his liver (without symptoms) and then burned out leaving his liver cirrhotic (though currently compensated and stable with normal blood results).
Although they've never 100% identified what triggered his immune system into overdrive one possible was an extended use of an anti-biotic he was given by GP for acne over several years.
Nitrofurantoin is a known trigger for auto-immune hepatitis or chronic active hepatitis as it has also been known, leading to liver damage. Maybe you've had a similar presentation to my hubby in that it's done its damage but now calmed down with the removal of the drug. They should keep a very close eye on you going forward for signs of worsening.
My hubby doesn't have typical AIH like I say, he has never had AIH symptoms just presented out of the blue with cirrhosis.
All the talk of long-term antibiotic use and associated liver damage is very worrying. My husband who has NASH has also taken Nitrofurantoin in the past, but for him it gives an allergic reaction. He has taken Trimethropin many, many times for urine infections and was also put on a maintenance dose to help keep the infection at bay. A month after a severe haemorrhage from oesophageal varices he was back in hospital with C.Diff. Not to take Trimethropin now.
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