Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin). Use of intravenous forms in resistant surgical infections: a preliminary report on 25 patients.

Twenty-five patients with severe and unusually resistant bacterial infections were treated with nitrofurantoin given intravenously.Twelve patients were classified as cured and seven as improved. In two cases there was no observable benefit. The other four patients, all moribund at the beginning of nitrofurantoin therapy, died. No significant toxic reaction to the drug was noted except for a tendency to metabolic acidosis in five patients in a state of shock after treatment with nitrofurantoin (Furadantin(R) intravenous solution). In no case was there evidence of impaired hematopoiesis. From this preliminary report it appeared that nitrofurantoin for intravenous use is justified in the treatment of gravely ill patients with surgical infections resistant to other antimicrobial drugs.