Nitrofurantoin and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• rom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid the same day my UTI symptoms began. By my visit to the clinic, it was already very painful. By the second day, my UTI was slightly better, the dizziness and nausea were intense, but it didn't impede my ability to function. This continued until the fourth or fifth day when the headaches began. First, they were manageable, but after dose 10, I wasn't able to function without getting sick (by then, the UTI symptoms were almost completely gone). The side effects lasted until all the medication was taken and for a couple days after. That being said, I've always been very sensitive to side effects from medications, and everyone's body will react differently. Take with food and lots of water, and the whole ordeal will be over soon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "This medication is terrible. I was prescribed this med for a UTI. I had urinary discomfort after having sex but decided to just keep an eye on it, take vitamin C and cranberry pills, and drank a lot of water to see if I felt better. A week later, after having sex, I woke up peeing blood. I immediately went to urgent care, where they prescribed meds for 7 days twice a day. Even though it got rid of my UTI, I was experiencing really bad anxiety, racing thoughts, and I just overall felt unsteady 3-4 days while on it. Which I never experienced before taking this med. But I continued to take the med because my UTI was feeling better. It’s been four days since I finished the medication, and I am still experiencing dizziness, I feel dazed all the time, extremely fatigued, blurred vision, I just feel zoned out. I’m hoping that this med did not cause any permanent damage, I’m hoping that within a few days I will feel back to myself. I do not recommend this med at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Avoid this medication at all costs. I took it for 3 days and experienced all the side effects. The worst has been the dizziness and numbness in hands and feet. So dizzy to the point that I can't stand and have spent most of the last 2 days in bed. I have also had cramping stomach pains (so bad I was in tears) and diarrhea. My heart has been racing, it feels like I can't breathe. I stopped taking it on day 3, it's day 4 now, and I still feel absolutely horrible. If I don't feel any better by tomorrow, I'm going to the ER. I would way rather have a UTI than take this medication ever again."

• blu...
• December 7, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "My profile: mid 20s, female, first time using antibiotics as an adult. Reason for using: UTI. The urgency was insane. After 3 days of chugging cranberry juice, I had enough disappointment and decided it was time to give antibiotics a go. First impressions: it works! The UTI was gone overnight. Side effects were: nausea and a low-grade fever. I also experienced tiredness, dizziness, and certain smells were weird. What helped: prebiotics like pickles, sauerkraut, etc., for the nausea, eating simple foods, and avoiding alcohol, spicy food, and caffeine, and avoiding sugar because that feeds the bacteria you’re trying to kill. Keeping well hydrated, using a hot water bottle/heated pad for comfort, and sleeping. Overall: I mean, it works, so 7/10. The side effects are manageable with the above tips, and since it’s only 5 days (in my case) for the prescribed course, it wasn’t that bad given the alternative of constantly needing to pee."

• ElT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a very painful bout of cystitis and was given a 3-day course of nitrofurantoin at my local surgery. I found no difference at the end of the treatment - still burning pain, cramping, needing to go to the loo constantly, but at least no blood by the end of day 3. My health has really gone downhill - extreme tiredness, inability to concentrate, distorted vision, horrendous constipation, and dizzy spells. I went back and was given exactly the same thing, another course. I'm on day 3 with 1 last dose to take, but still have burning pee and a very bruised bladder feeling. I feel very demoralized, especially as my old surgery used to prescribe amoxicillin, and you didn't even need to see the doctor. I can now look forward to a painful Christmas."

• WPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "UTI: I started taking this terrible nitrofurantoin tablet for a UTI. It was prescribed by a nurse at my surgery, as there was no appointment with a doctor available. I’ve never felt so ill in my entire life. The side effects started off with the worst pulsating headache I’ve ever had. No paracetamol or ibuprofen would get rid of it. Then I started to get really bad aching in my lower back and backs of my legs to the point I could hardly walk. The painful headache was so bad, and then I started to feel really dizzy and nauseous, and then the vomiting started. This has all happened in the space of three days, and I’m not feeling any better. I’ve stopped taking them, as no one should have to go through this nightmare!!"

• Tya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took Nitrofurantoin for 2 days and had to stop. The dosage was meant to be for a week. I developed a fever, tight sore throat, dry cough, difficulty swallowing, extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness. I also had neck pain, my skin felt sore when touched. These symptoms are continuing 5 days after I stopped taking the medication. Never again!"

• Ugh...
• September 3, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had apparently taken this antibiotic when I was younger, and haven’t taken it in years. This was the first time I needed it for a UTI, and I am experiencing unbearable stomach and abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and dizziness like no other. Only on the 1st dose on day 2, and I ran back to urgent care to stop the out-of-control side effects. I’m allergic to most antibiotics, so I’ll be curious in what they give me. All I can say is thank goodness for the internet because I’ve wondered for years if I was the only one experiencing these side effects, and I am not the only one out there."

• OVE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "This is the most awful antibiotic I have ever used. I took it for 3 days and could not handle it anymore, it made me dizzy, lethargic, tired, very spaced out, emotional, and caused bad anxiety. Never again."

• Tat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am a healthy, athletic 19-year-old college student. I don't normally get sick, but when I went to the doctor for my UTI, I was prescribed nitrofurantoin and Azo for the pain when I pee. I took the first dose at night, didn't sleep, had an awful nightmare, and barely slept because of the intense pressure in my head. I woke up, had to drive an hour to a city, and I had to stop 20 minutes in to turn around because I almost crashed 3 times. I was so dizzy and exhausted, I couldn't see the cars next to me, nor could I speed up because my body was just a zombie! I had such a bad headache that I had to come back home and pass out on the couch immediately. I couldn't concentrate. I have classes, and there's no way I can take this and be 100%. I'm calling the doctor tomorrow, this is ridiculous."

• Cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a very painful UTI. I had taken it once before for the same reason but couldn’t remember how it made me feel. I was prescribed it twice a day for 7 days. This time it took a few days to begin working, and I was thankful to have also been given an analgesic to help with the pain since this didn’t resolve that. It made me feel incredibly bloated, tired, dizzy, and gave me awful stomach cramping and diarrhea. Somehow, all of this was still better than the UTI, though, and I am now 2 days after finishing the round of medication and feeling better. Overall, it seems to have its side effects, but if you’re able to tolerate them, it should be beneficial for infections."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2019

For Bladder Infection "• High dose, taken twice daily with food, for 3 days. Day 1 AM - not too bad, bit spacey PM - very spacey, bloated stomach/abdominal cramps & nauseated. Day 2 - AM - EXTREME nausea. Vertigo-ish, & “out of whack.” - PM - just felt like total garbage. Very tired, nauseated, and spaced out. Brain fog. Also, my hair has started coming out. Not loads, but if I run my fingers through it - guarantee a good few strands will come out. Day 3 AM - very tired, bit sicky, upset stomach. Oh also, these meds cause your urine to go different colors, whether it be a luminous type yellow or green, or borderline brown. That’s normal. Don’t worry. All in all, these had made me feel pretty terrible. If you can ride the infection out with home remedies, try to do so. My anxiety has been through the roof, (again, with anxiety sufferers don’t worry, you’re not dying, this is just very nasty stuff) and the side effects have been more than unpleasant."

• b b...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I took this drug for the first time for 1 day (2 pills). Heart pounding fast, had the chills, heavy chest, very dizzy and unsteady when standing. Had to go to bed. All night, had the worst headache I have ever had (haven't had headaches for years). Body ached, bad stomach ache, fever, had to throw up. Got no sleep. Never been sick like that. Refused to take it the next day (was prescribed 2 pills for 3 days). Awful drug - do not take. Have never had a problem with other antibiotics for urinary tract infections or prevention of."

• Cha...
• January 11, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am not sure how or why this drug is being made. It's the WORST. I went to immediate care [out of desperation] for UTI symptoms, and they prescribed Macrobid. The first day was okay, my symptoms went away, but I felt a little dizzy. The second day I was good, but that night I started getting horrible cramping in my abdomen. I was up all night with what felt like a gastrointestinal infection or stomach virus. It was awful. The stabbing pains were so painful. I also had a terrible headache. I contacted my doctor, and he was upset that I was prescribed this and immediately prescribed something else. I am on day 2 of being off Macrobid and still recovering. I do not recommend at all."

• Han...
• July 3, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This is by far the worst medication I have taken, and it's ruined my birthday weekend. I started feeling very fatigued with a stomach ache on day 1, but I didn’t think too much of it as I was also on my period, so symptoms didn’t feel too out of the ordinary. By day 2, I had lost my appetite and became so nauseous and dizzy I couldn’t get up. Day 3, I was feeling a little better until a couple of hours after my morning pill when I got a twisting hunger type of pain in the top of my stomach, the kind I’d imagine you’d have after not eating all week. It was excruciating, and it was only after I ate that I realized it was no hunger pain. This made me very nauseous and weak for the whole day. Now I am day two off the course, it’s my birthday, and I have a new addition of chest pain and headache on top of the other symptoms. I’m considering going to the ER, that is how awful this medication has made me feel. The worst part is my UTI symptoms came back on day three after ceasing on day 1."

• Swe...
• November 17, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have a very sensitive system, and this med is horrible, causing dizziness, severe nausea, crying spells, and balance issues. I'm told I must take this med or be put in a hospital for IV antibiotic. Hope I'll outlast these horrid side effects. Stay away from this med if at all possible."

• Swe...
• November 17, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have a very sensitive system, and this med is horrible, causing dizziness, severe nausea, crying spells, and balance issues. I'm told I must take this med or be put in a hospital for IV antibiotic. Hope I'll outlast these horrid side effects. Stay away from this med if at all possible."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI that started a few days ago. I almost went to urgent care but was able to take a questionnaire and get this antibiotic prescribed since I get them frequently. I’ve taken a few other medications for this in the past but had horrible reactions to each of them. This is my first time on nitrofurantoin. Each time I take a dose, I do get a bit dizzy even though it’s taken with food. It passes throughout the day as I eat and drink. I like how they’re capsules versus tablets, as they don’t immediately dissolve a nasty flavor into my mouth right as they enter. It’s only my second day of doses, and I’m already feeling much better down there. I’ll take a headache and some dizziness if it takes away the horrible UTI pain... as it does!"

• Man...
• November 3, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Taken nitrofurantoin for 7 days twice a day for UTI. My side effects are tachycardia, dizziness, then the infection cleared, but then got side effects of eyelids itching, swollen, and then my infection came back. Wrongly relating the eye problem to a makeup allergy, was prescribed another course of nitrofurantoin, twice a day, 14 days. Itching to other areas of the body such as the inside legs, arms, and on the breast. Stopped the antibiotic and given another type for 10 days. Itching isn’t gone yet. I read that nitrofurantoin side effects can go on for a long time. Seen the high frequency of adverse side effects reported and having learned that there are other antibiotics available as much as effective as this one (even if in my case the 7-day therapy didn’t work), but less likely to give side effects, it shouldn't be prescribed. Actually, it should have never been commercialized in the first place. After all, the safety of a medicament shall be as much as important as its effectiveness in order not to become a poison instead."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I do not take any form of medication and am not allergic to anything at all, but prescribed this drug for a UTI, 4 x 100 mg for 7 days. After taking the tablets for 2 days, the headaches started along with an intolerance to light. Then I started to feel like I was having flu-like symptoms, chilly with aching joints. I felt lethargic and began to feel quite weak, with a feeling of not being able to focus properly and feeling dizzy. So much so, I did not feel comfortable driving. I spoke to my doctor and said I would not take any more (I was up to 5 days by then). The symptoms of my UTI are still there, and I'm going back for another antibiotic, will never take this drug again."

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI not too long ago, and I was prescribed Macrobid. I did not have any crazy side effects. Unfortunately, I get them frequently and just started a new round of Macrobid, and this time has been nothing but bad news. I am on day 5 of 7, and I have been extremely nauseous, dizzy, and tired along with sharp abdominal pain. The UTI isn't as severe anymore, but I feel like it hasn't been as effective and that it's still lingering. I made sure to eat a decent meal before and drink plenty of water, I think that it's just not reacting well with my system. I am definitely stopping after today and going to the doctor to figure out a new solution."

• Jew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "Like many others, I was terrified to take this medication. I was convinced it would kill me based on the other reviews. Not to say that people haven't had horrible reactions with this-and many-medications, but this one was just fine for me. It's important to remember that a lot of people who take this medication and don't have bad reactions don't come to write reviews, so try not to let it scare you away from taking this medication. I experienced a few side effects on this med, but it definitely cleared up my UTI. Make sure to take this with food. Even with that, I felt nauseous during the first few doses. I felt a little dizzy, was constipated, and had a few leg cramps, but they were a small price to pay for the relief it gave me! Definitely something I'd take in the future if I ever get another UTI."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "This drug has ruined my life. Going on one week of it in my system, I can't get out from the bed. I'm weak, dizzy, throwing up, my hands and feet are numb. I've been to the ER once, and they took me off of it. Three days now clear of the drug, and the symptoms are worse than when I was on it. Do not take this! If you have been prescribed it, stop using it immediately, and of course discuss this with your prescriber!"

• Clo...
• October 9, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a minor UTI. I just couldn't seem to clear it out of my system, so I got prescribed Macrobid. The first day I took it, I felt a little drowsy, but nothing major. The second day, dose two, I began to feel very drained and had no energy. I thought maybe I just needed sleep, so I tried to nap, but I just lay there in discomfort and exhaustion. I began to have cold/flu symptoms. I became very dizzy and nauseous. I felt like I was spinning. I was bedridden and cried from how bad I was feeling. It did help my UTI symptoms, but I am not sure if it's worth it."

• Clo...
• October 9, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a minor UTI. I just couldn't seem to clear it out of my system, so I got prescribed Macrobid. The first day I took it, I felt a little drowsy, but nothing major. The second day, dose two, I began to feel very drained and had no energy. I thought maybe I just needed sleep, so I tried to nap, but I just lay there in discomfort and exhaustion. I began to have cold/flu symptoms. I became very dizzy and nauseous. I felt like I was spinning. I was bedridden and cried from how bad I was feeling. It did help my UTI symptoms, but I am not sure if it's worth it."