Macrobid and Nausea: What Users Say

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’m leaving this review for people (like myself) who google EVERYTHING before they try something. I have A LOT of anxiety so reading these reviews made me very nervous about starting this med. I was given cipro 3 days ago for a UTI/kidney infection and spent the whole night throwing up, and pain etc. went back to the doctor and she prescribed Macrobid. It’s been 2 days that I have been taking it and so far, so good. Yes, you have to eat with it or I get mild nausea. I find myself more tired but that’s ok with me...I need sleep! I have been drinking a lot more water (I’m a huge water drinker to begin with) this med makes me thirsty. I’m glad I tried it and didn’t let the reviews get the best of me! I don’t know how it’s working for the UTI because I didn’t have any symptoms other than back pain. It was the urine results that warranted the medication. Everyone reacts differently to medications. So please take these reviews with a grain of salt. Good luck to everyone out there!!"

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I went to the doctor for a complaint of a UTI. The doctor prescribed Macrobid for 5 days, twice a day. It definitely worked for the UTI within 2 days, but I had severe side effects: sharp abdominal pains, urine turned dark orange, no appetite, headaches, terrible nausea, left shoulder pain, back pain, tired, almost felt like my head was in the clouds. When I finished the medication, I felt worse. I felt like I wanted to cry. I felt confused, still no appetite, I didn’t feel like myself at all. Stomach cramping pains still with a distended abdomen. I literally almost felt like a walking zombie. I’m still getting abdominal cramps and a swollen abdomen. I need to see my doctor. I’m never taking this medication again."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

For Prevention of Bladder infection "Was put on Macrobid when my yearly physical lab showed a slightly higher WBC in urine. After 2 doses, I began with chills and fever. I had three days of 104 temp, nausea, and vomiting, even water would not stay down. As a senior adult living alone, I feared the need for IV and hospital treatment but would not go due to Covid. I called my doctor back and was told to go get tested for Covid. They offered no other reason for my ills. I did my own research and took myself off of the drug. 24 hours later, no chills, fever is normal, no vomiting. This was like poisoning my body. Never again! My daughters had similar experiences also. Be aware if taking this drug. I do not think it should be on the market."

• Rei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "After reading all the horror stories, I was dreading taking this, but I’m hoping my experience will help others out! I was diagnosed with a UTI. My OBGYN prescribed Bactrim, in which I had a horrible reaction and found out I had an allergy to, so she switched it to Macrobid. I was afraid to take it since everyone on here seems to complain, however, I read a successful post where one girl said she took it with a muffin, so that’s what I did. I ate a HEAVY meal, then waited about 30-45 minutes. I took a jumbo muffin and ate half of it, then took the pill, and then ate the remaining half of the muffin. No nausea, no diarrhea, no dizziness, nothing! Now keep in mind that all of our bodies are different, and so are our tolerances, but this is not as bad as it seems if you drink plenty of water and eat lots of food prior to taking it, including bread items! Best of luck!"

• Mom...
• December 11, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started Macrobid 5 days ago. I’ve taken Cipro before and it’s always worked well. My doc was on vacation, so I went to another clinic. She told me that they stay away from prescribing Cipro, so she suggested Macrobid and said it was well tolerated. First, I want to let you know that it did not work for me. I’m on day 5 & the burning right now is just as it was when my UTI started. When I started taking it, I felt nauseous, dizzy, balance issues, weak arms, depressed and weepy. This is out of character for me. I’ve hardly worked due to feeling incredibly weak and tired. I'm self employed and 4.5 of my days have been completely wiped out by this drug. I also have cramping in my feet and today I had bizarre facial flushing, hot ears and high blood pressure for 5 hours. I’ve always had normal blood pressure so this was scary. DO NOT TAKE THIS!"

• Ast...
• September 24, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid was the worst antibiotic I've ever taken. I have never had a UTI, and when I saw my doctor, she prescribed Macrobid 2x daily for 7 days. I have taken plenty of antibiotics in my lifetime and have never had any significant side effects. Within 4 hours of taking Macrobid, I had terrible diarrhea for about 2 hours. After that, I was nauseous to the point of vomiting (and I never vomit). No medication has ever made me this sick before. I had chills, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting all within the first 12 hours. However, I know you're not supposed to stop taking medications, so I took my second dose, and the symptoms proceeded to the point of not sleeping at all overnight. I stopped taking it the next day, and my symptoms resolved completely. I went back to my doctor and got a different antibiotic that I had no problems with."

• Use...
• May 23, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) twice for a UTI. The first time, I experienced a slight fever, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. I switched medication after speaking with my doctor, but I did not know that it also went by the name Macrobid as the generic brand. I had taken Macrobid before and was fine, so assumed that this was a one-off instance of bad side effects. Now taking it for a second time, and am experiencing very bad side effects of nausea, splitting headaches, slight fever, fatigue. No other UTI medicine I’ve taken before has caused similar reactions. Would not recommend taking something so risky when there are plenty of other just as effective alternatives."

• SDO...
• September 27, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was so traumatized to take this med based on other reviews. I'm 120 and 5'4 and get sick and nauseous from even one tylenol regular strength. I got Pedialyte to prepare... Took the pill and waited. And NOTHING happened except my UTI going away. Do yourself a favor and don't read the Internet. Trust your doctor!"

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2020

For Bladder Infection "The first three days I took 100 mg of generic Macrobid twice a day with large meals because it was causing mild queasiness. UTI symptoms subsided. On the fourth day, I took it with a small breakfast and experienced dizziness and heart pressure. I called the doctor, who said that I had been on it long enough and advised me to stop. A decade or more ago, I took Cipro with no side effects for UTI, but now they say Macrobid is better due to antibiotic resistance and targeting UTIs specifically. The dizziness and heart pressure side effects were enough to make me stop and reconsider ever using this medicine in the future."

• Mar...
• January 28, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took the antibiotic for 5 days for a UTI. On the first day, it did cause a bit of nausea and dizziness, but nothing too drastic. For the rest of the days, I had no side effects at all. I always took it with a meal to prevent nausea or an upset stomach."

• Lyd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I had a pretty bad UTI, so I went to urgent care to get some relief. They prescribed this drug, Macrobid 100 mg x 2 for 5 days. I’m very sensitive to medications. Within 2 doses, my constant urge to pee was gone. By the 3rd dose, the burning was gone. I’m ending out my 4th day and 8th dose feeling completely better. The drug does cause some drowsiness, and I have been dizzy as well, which I got after my first dose. I’ve also had some diarrhea, but not too much. After my 8th dose tonight, I do feel a little bit queasy, but all antibiotics have some side effects. I’ll keep taking it. Cipro and Bactrim made me feel way worse."

• Lai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2017

For Bladder Infection "After being prescribed Monurol (a single dose, powder sachet antibiotic) for a pretty nasty bladder infection, I had to go back to the doctor because I was still in serious pain. My family doctor prescribed Macrobid, and after taking one dose, I started to have relief. I'm pretty sensitive to medications, I usually get the full list of side effects; headache, nausea, diarrhea, but with Macrobid, absolutely nothing - not even the weird possible 'darkening of urine'. Believe me, I'm a big baby, I'd whine about anything, this medication was amazing."

• Deb...
• July 4, 2021

For Bladder Infection "The first few days after taking Macrobid, the symptoms weren’t too bad. I was experiencing a little stomach problems, diarrhea mainly. About day three on, I got really sick, really bad nausea and upper belly ache, pounding headaches, felt lightheaded. I couldn’t function, had to lay down and rest all of the time. I realized I was halfway through the dosage and thought I could tough it out, but had to stop at day six (7 day dosage). This is now day 7, and I haven’t taken any medication but still have strong symptoms, hopefully, will reside soon. I will never take this medication again, I felt like my body was being poisoned."

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2017

For Prevention of Bladder infection "I have had recurring UTIs for 5 decades. I've been on Macrobid for a couple of years. I've found it does help prevent the kidney and bladder infections with few side effects. The side effects I do have are: darkened urine, diarrhea occasionally, nausea and dry heaves occasionally, dizziness occasionally, and peripheral neuropathy on occasion. Now, I know you would think that these side effects would deter someone from taking this drug, but for me, those side effects are better than having bladder and kidney infections for 6 months at a time. For me, Macrobid is the lesser of the two evils. Living with the infections is worse than these few issues."

• Dan...
• February 10, 2017

For Bladder Infection "Both extremes of Macrobid are accurate. I've had a lot of UTIs - to the point of having Macrobid prescribed with refills as needed. I never experienced any symptoms, and this stuff was like a miracle. It took 24 hours to kick in, and I felt great. I didn't get a UTI for 2 years and then just got one. I took Macrobid, and it has made me feel horrible! I feel weak, have no energy, am always dizzy, have headaches, diarrhea, bad pain around my lymph nodes, and always feel like I need to throw up. Fortunately, I'm a SAHM (stay-at-home mom), so I'm able to deal with it at home, but I had to have someone take my child to school because I couldn't get out of bed! Also, it feels like it hasn't completely started working. So it can be great and horrible, even with the same person!"

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I am on day 2 of the medication nitrofurantoin for a bladder infection. Bactrim never works for my UTIs, Cipro makes me hallucinate, so the doctor prescribed Macrobid. All symptoms of UTI are gone. I do have some nausea, bloating, loose stool, even with probiotics, but all the side effects are so much better than having a UTI. I hope the rest of my treatment course stays like this. Bottom line, this medication has been effective and I would take it again for my UTIs."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2010

For Bladder Infection "I am on my seventh day on Macrobid and still having UTI symptoms. I have nausea, headache, abdominal cramping, irritability, loss of appetite, weakness, joint aches, and tiredness. This is the most ridiculous antibiotic that I've ever taken! It makes me feel like I've been hit by a bus and still doesn't seem like the UTI is better."

• MN2...
• July 21, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "It worked really well to clear up my urinary tract infection, and within a day I had no symptoms; however, I was so tired while I was taking this! I also would get a feeling of nausea quite often and occasionally would make me vomit. I took it on a full stomach, but still got the feelings of nausea and fatigue."

• Jwc...
• October 2, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never again. I thought I was going to die. I was prescribed this drug for a UTI. 2 tabs a day for 3 days. 2 tablets in, I was in so much pain in every inch of my body I couldn't walk. I felt like I had a pain in my chest every time I needed to take a breath, and my headache was the worst I'd ever experienced. My vision was blurry, and I was constantly thirsty despite being hydrated. I felt queasy, and my skin was so sore to touch I couldn't even pull on my trousers. I know everybody is different, but after checking about other users' experiences, there is obviously a huge issue with side effects and this medication. I thought if I did manage to sleep, I'd never wake up again. I tried pain meds, but nothing touched this. I phoned my doctor and was told to stop taking them. My experience was so horrendous I'm frightened to take anything else again. I'm hoping that once it's out of my system, I'll feel better, but 4 days on, I still feel some effects."

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2014

For Bladder Infection "Had a severe bladder infection, passing blood clots in my urine, pain, bladder spasms, and urinating every 5 minutes. I am allergic to sulfur drugs, penicillin, cipro, and levaquin, so Macrobid is really my only alternative. This is the second time I have taken it, the first time I remember no real side effects, this time I have experienced a severe headache after the first 3 pills, then that subsided. Now, on my 12th pill out of 14, I have mild nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness... nothing unbearable and definitely better than the pain of the bladder infection. Hopefully, I won't get another bladder infection, but that's wishful thinking, but I won't hesitate to use Macrobid again."

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Bladder Infection "This is the second time I've used Macrobid, and I've concluded it does not work for me. With other antibiotics, I've gotten relief from UTIs within hours. Not with this stuff. I'm on day 3, and my symptoms keep returning, along with nausea and diarrhea. I can't wait to get some Bactrim."

• Kri...
• October 25, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "This medication made me feel horrible. I had a UTI and was prescribed this Macrobid. I took one dose. Within about 15-30 minutes, I felt so miserable. It worsened as the day went on. I felt anxious, dizzy, nauseous, my face tingled, and I couldn't concentrate. And the worst part was it was long-acting, so it took quite some time to feel normal. I will never take this again."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Before your freakout thinking that you're gonna have the worst experience ever on this drug, don't! Most people who have good experiences don't come to these sites and write reviews, it's always the bad ones! I have terrible health anxiety, and I'm sensitive to lots of drugs. I also had C. diff three months ago (cured by at-home fecal microbiota transplantation), so taking an antibiotic again was pretty scary for me. The side effects I got were a slight headache and nausea for a couple of hours after each pill, some gas, but no other digestive issues (thank goodness!). I was feeling better on the fourth day and have one more day to go. Take it with bread to make it easier on your stomach."

• Pol...
• November 22, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am currently taking Macrobid for a urinary tract infection. I've been taking it twice a day for going on 4 days now. I was very very leery of this medication, because when I was pregnant 4 years ago, it was prescribed to me for a UTI. I took it and was really ill. I felt like I had the flu...weak, chills, nausea, horrible headaches. My doctor gave it to me and I was scared to take it, but with my last UTI the Cipro didn't knock it out. I'm happy to report that this time, I am doing fine on it. No side effects, but the UTI symptoms are pretty much gone. Make sure you take this ON A FULL STOMACH! Not with a glass of milk, not with a snack, not BEFORE eating...a full stomach!"

• sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2017

For Bladder Infection "Please, please, please don't use this drug! Was put on it for a bladder infection that I didn't even know I had and have been nothing but miserable. When I first started taking it, 100 mg twice a day, I noticed that I had severe nausea, even though I took it with food. Then body pains and head pains came. My head would feel so heavy that I could barely hold it up, and my ears felt as if they were full of fluid. Then came the vision problems and trouble balancing and basically walking. I had to take time off work because I have been having a mental breakdown because of this drug. I am constantly crying or in full-on panic attacks. I feel like any day could be my last. Please don't take this pill, it's not worth it! I'm praying this won't be forever."