Nitrofurantoin and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Ale...
• November 11, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "MOST reviews on the internet are going to be more negative than positive. If you had a bad experience, you're more likely to share than if the experience was fine. There are thousands of people using these meds every day and they are fine, so you never read about it. Let me reassure you it worked just fine. I always ate food WITH it and drank lots of water and took a daily probiotic. I had a mild headache on the 2nd day and a little stomach cramps/loose stools by the 4th day, but nothing that major. It took 4 days for my UTI symptoms to go away, and by the last day, day 7, back to normal. Some of the negative symptoms people describe are also the same symptoms you get when your UTI gets advanced or worse... not every antibiotic will work for every infection. Not necessarily a bad reaction, just not working. This med has been around for 50+ years and targets your urinary tract. It gets filtered through your kidneys and gets right to the source. Don't be afraid, if your doc thinks you need it."

• Sad...
• February 25, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG!! After taking my second dose, I developed VIOLENT vomiting, diarrhea, severe body aches, extremely high heart rate, low oxygen levels, and shortness of breath. Fever, chills, an inability to move with severe fatigue. It’s now 42 hours after my last dose and I am better. We are in a pandemic and having all these symptoms sure did scare me. I do NOT EVER recommend this drug to ANYONE! Horrible! I’m obviously not the only one. I wish I had read the reviews before I took this Med!"

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

Nitrofurantoin 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!"

• Ast...
• September 24, 2020

Nitrofurantoin 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."

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

Nitrofurantoin 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

Nitrofurantoin 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

Nitrofurantoin 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

Nitrofurantoin 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

Nitrofurantoin 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

Nitrofurantoin 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."

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

Nitrofurantoin 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Very good experience with some minor side effects... minor and worth having rather than being in the hospital with a kidney infection! I read some of the reviews on here. I have health anxiety and a bit of hypochondria, and I am afraid to take medications. I was hesitant to take this one as well after reading the reviews. The only side effects I felt were some mild diarrhea, headache, some muscle aches, fatigue, mild pelvic and side pain, and chills (which could have been from the UTI rather than a side effect of the medication). Please take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Everyone responds differently to medications, and my experience was good with this. Don't take UTIs lightly, as they can lead to more serious problems."

• ATa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed nitrofurantoin as a seven-day course for UTI. Was careful to take with food and expected maybe some nausea. OMG, what a horror story. I can't believe this drug is legal. Started with mild nausea and indigestion. Got worse with each dose and each day. Vomiting, diarrhea, head spinning, pounding headache. Felt so ill I thought I had COVID-19. Yes, it's dealt with the UTI, but I currently (end of day 4) feel like I'm dying. Am speaking to the pharmacist tomorrow, begging to be allowed to stop this awful medication."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "After reading these reviews, I felt I should comment as I had a positive experience. I took Macrobid, 2x a day for 7 days for a UTI. I feel so much better, and my only side effect was some diarrhea on day 7. I feel so much better!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "So this is my 3rd time on these tablets this year. The first two times were for a UTI, this time for a kidney infection. The first two times, no side effects at all. This time, I’m on day 4 of taking these, and I feel dreadful: dry mouth, stomach ache, cramps, pain, diarrhea, and this morning I woke up and felt like I had the flu, with fever, chills, and severe aches and pains from the stomach down. I’m going to have to continue taking them due to having a kidney infection. I did ring my doctors, but they refused to change my antibiotics. This is just my experience, everyone is different, but I definitely wouldn’t take these again, and I can normally take any tablets and have no side effects."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I strongly dislike the motives of Big Pharma, and I think antibiotics are the devil because they destroy your gut microbiome. When you have a bladder infection that could progress to one's kidneys, you take them with a metaphorical grain of salt. I took the first dose at 7:23 PM. I peed at around 7:50 PM with pain. I had the urge to pee again at 9:29 PM and had no pain at all! I thought I felt tingling around 8:10 PM like I could feel the fight between the infection and the drug. I feel a little foggy in the head. My bowels are definitely loose because I have wet farts, and that is from someone who is always constipated. So, I pity the fool who poops every day and takes this medication. I also experienced vaginal leakage (mucus)."

• Hap...
• May 24, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Rx paperwork does not say take with food, even though it is very important to do so. My UTI symptoms were gone after taking the first pill. I only have to take it for 3 days, but I am experiencing some side effects. I feel achy and very sleepy. Just have no energy in general. I had diarrhea after the first dose, but not terrible. I just don't want to get out of bed. I still rated this med a 10 because it did take away my UTI symptoms almost immediately. Just remember to eat a full meal before each dose, and it makes all the difference in the side effects. Two pills to go, I can do this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This medicine was absolutely horrible for me. I had extreme diarrhea, with nausea and vomiting every time I took it, and I had to take it 2x a day. The abdominal pain it caused, no matter how much food or water I took with it, was the sharpest pain I’ve ever felt, like 7/10 on the pain scale. I lost weight and was severely dehydrated."

• sou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I am always prescribed Macrobid for UTIs, and it has always worked for me. It does cause some side effects, but for me, it is usually just fatigue for a few hours after taking it and a bit of diarrhea near the end, once the infection is gone, but I am still finishing up the meds. I know some people get more severe side effects, but I have always been lucky on this drug."

• Kat...
• August 5, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I took Macrobid for two days. By day three I was nauseous, dizzy, and had diarrhea. I felt weak and dizzy and almost passed out. My doctor told me to stop the medication. It turned out that my culture was normal, and I didn't need antibiotics! I am now without the meds, and I feel like I have a virus!"

• Hei...
• July 18, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I'm on day 2, so I have taken 4 pills and I feel absolutely horrible nausea. I have aches all over like the flu and pains in my stomach, sharp ones. I can barely keep my head up. I am stopping them and going back to the doctor tomorrow. I have never felt so bad, also very explosive diarrhea. I'm thinking of going to the hospital. I feel as if I have been poisoned."

• TRS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2019

For Bladder Infection "This pill is awful! I just finished a 5-day prescription. The list is so long of the side effects: non-stop headache that didn’t respond to anything, chills and trembling, hot spells, stomach pain, diarrhea, foot cramps, loss of appetite, numbness in hands and feet, restless nights, moodiness, reduced vision. Although this medicine got rid of my UTI, I would never take it again or recommend it to anyone. I’m a healthy 54-year-old!"

• Hip...
• March 1, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I have taken several antibiotics for UTI for the past years. Bactrim does not work at all for me. I have had no side effects on Macrobid, which I have taken twice. I was never tired, nauseous, had diarrhea, or anything. No flu-like symptoms or headache. I guess it just depends on the individual. I would definitely use it again."

• Gam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 17, 2024

For Prevention of Bladder infection "I had recurrent UTIs - more so than most thanks to a bladder surgery I had at 2 years old. After numerous trips to the doctor and urgent care over the years, my doctor put me on this to use after intercourse. It’s been over a decade and it has served me well. Sometimes it upsets my stomach, gives me diarrhea at times but not often. It is worth it to me as I can’t take sulfa. I sometimes use D-mannose as well (more recently). I saw someone complain here in the reviews that those reviews this works for were discounting those that have had issues. I doubt that is the case. I am pretty sure we were asked to give our experience and not comment on others' experience. I can only give my experience and hope it helps. After all, you need a doctor to get this prescription and they will help determine what’s best for you. I truly wish it worked for everyone."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2013

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This antibiotic is a godsend! I am allergic to penicillins and sulfas. At first, I tried Cipro, it didn't work. I had kidney stones for 8 months, I finally got my second lithotripsy in June for an 8x9mm stone, and then my kidney got infected. This is my fourth day on Macrobid, and I have had no serious side effects except 1 bout of diarrhea on day 1, which was welcomed compared to the nausea and pain from the infection. Macrobid actually got rid of my nausea!"