Updated Nitrofurantoin Recommendations in the Elderly: A Closer Look at the Evidence

Consult Pharm. 2016 Jul;31(7):381-4. doi: 10.4140/TCP.n.2016.381.

Abstract

The American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel has revised its recommendation to avoid use of nitrofurantoin in renal impairment from patients with a creatinine clearance (Clcr) of less than 60 mL/min to those with a Clcr of less than 30 mL/min, based on two retrospective studies that identified the safety and efficacy of nitrofurantoin in this population. This change in recommendation, along with increasing resistance to both sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and fluoroquinolones, gave rise to the advantages of nitrofurantoin and may reflect a surge in prescribing among the elderly. The purpose of the manuscript is to provide readers with a brief review of updated evidence to confidently treat older patients with nitrofurantoin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / adverse effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / therapeutic use*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Kidney / physiopathology*
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Nitrofurantoin / adverse effects
  • Nitrofurantoin / therapeutic use*
  • Patient Selection
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
  • Nitrofurantoin