Nitrofurantoin and Pain: What Users Say

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

Macrobid (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

Macrobid (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!"

• No...
• November 14, 2013

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "First time I took Macrobid for UTI, after a few days I developed flu-like symptoms, fever, aches and pains, heart racing, bronchial congestion. After the infection came back, I took it again and only one dose brought back all the side effects and more. I went online to see if I was alone and I am one of many with this reaction and worse. Thank God for the Internet."

• No ...
• June 6, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Prescribed for a UTI. Long story short, I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. Severe body aches, joint pain, back pain, chest pain, fever up to 101.7, major chills, headache, feeling anxious, feeling depressed, crying, feeling irritable, fatigue, weakness, night sweats, tight jaw. This medication is dangerous, and I'm glad I stumbled across this site because I thought I was going crazy. I have one more day of this horrible medication, and I'll stick it out because I don't want to have to take any more antibiotics. 100mg twice a day for seven days."

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

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) 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."

• Jwc...
• October 2, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) 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."

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

Macrobid (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."

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

Macrobid (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."

• swi...
• November 26, 2015

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Be aware. I was prescribed this med both for recurrent UTIs and prophylactic use. After using it for years, I suffered full-body toxicity and now have been completely disabled by this medicine. I presented to the ER on several occasions, with burning in my hands and feet, and to my doctor. Nobody made the connection. I kept using the medicine. I am now disabled with severe body-wide neuropathy that appears to be permanent. It is a living hell. Beware using this drug long-term. It has ruined my life. I am homebound with severe body-wide neuropathic pain and am in 'pain management' with no relief."

• swi...
• November 26, 2015

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Be aware. I was prescribed this med both for recurrent UTIs and prophylactic use. After using it for years, I suffered full-body toxicity and now have been completely disabled by this medicine. I presented to the ER on several occasions, with burning in my hands and feet, and to my doctor. Nobody made the connection. I kept using the medicine. I am now disabled with severe body-wide neuropathy that appears to be permanent. It is a living hell. Beware using this drug long-term. It has ruined my life. I am homebound with severe body-wide neuropathic pain and am in 'pain management' with no relief."

• JLM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "As other people have said, this is also my first time leaving a review for any prescribed medicine. I went to my UK doctor as I was having flare-up symptoms of a UTI. I was prescribed Macrobid (6 capsules to be taken over 3 days). I am pretty annoyed I didn't read these reviews before I took the first dose because I probably wouldn't have bothered, or I would have stopped taking it immediately and not continued thinking I just had a flu-type bug! I haven't had the dizziness other people have described, but that is probably because I haven't left my bed for 3 days! I have had vomiting, headache, the worst aches and pains in my back and legs, and generally feeling like I am dying! I am so angry about it as I have had to cancel some seriously important meetings, thinking it was just an unfortunate illness, and now I think it's this poison. Not happy!"

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Prevention of Bladder infection "I don’t like that the people who didn’t have a bad reaction are acting like their experience negates all the others. Everybody is different, and everybody reacts differently. The good: in the last several weeks, I’ve been hospitalized with kidney infections and sepsis twice. I was on home IV antibiotics for four weeks. Nothing worked. Finally, bacteria were identified, and I was put on a black box antibiotic for 11 days. Then switched to Macrobid as a precaution for the next four months while we narrow down what is wrong. This is doing its job well. It has also caused a pain I feel in my head, sinuses, ears, neck, and teeth that is extreme and life-altering. You can’t live a normal life with this type of pain. It’s a nightmare. The pain is intolerable. If you haven’t experienced this, be grateful, not angry at those of us suffering."

• SRS...
• August 15, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I wanted to update other users as I returned to my doctor. She performed a thorough examination, and even though I am 12 days on from my last tablet, she believes the aches, pains, and infection I have picked up are all linked to the aftereffects of the drugs. I have also been having nightmares and experiencing acid reflux. I am reassured that my symptoms are linked and should therefore start to calm down. My doctor said it’s not unusual for some side effects to last for 6 weeks, but they should gradually lessen. She also said that stress can trigger further side effects. I was very emotional after being checked over, as I have spent the last 3 weeks feeling awful and was starting to think there must be something very wrong with me. As it turns out, it really has just been the nasty side effects of a drug that has been like a poison. I hope this reassures others who are in the midst of similar experiences."

• SRS...
• August 15, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I wanted to update other users as I returned to my doctor. She performed a thorough examination, and even though I am 12 days on from my last tablet, she believes the aches, pains, and infection I have picked up are all linked to the aftereffects of the drugs. I have also been having nightmares and experiencing acid reflux. I am reassured that my symptoms are linked and should therefore start to calm down. My doctor said it’s not unusual for some side effects to last for 6 weeks, but they should gradually lessen. She also said that stress can trigger further side effects. I was very emotional after being checked over, as I have spent the last 3 weeks feeling awful and was starting to think there must be something very wrong with me. As it turns out, it really has just been the nasty side effects of a drug that has been like a poison. I hope this reassures others who are in the midst of similar experiences."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2023

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "100 mg, 2x per day, 5 days - although it treated the UTI, the side effects might have been more debilitating than the UTI itself. My side effects were chills, sweats, body aches, non-stop headache, extreme fatigue (could barely get out of bed for 3 days), nausea/dry heaves, loss of appetite (the only time I ate was to take the med so my stomach would be able to handle the meds), head/ears HOT to touch, ringing in the ears, itchy hands and feet. There were just too many side effects to make this antibiotic worth recommending when there are other drugs that can do the same thing. This med just did not agree with me, and I will never take it again or recommend it to others."

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

Macrobid (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

Macrobid (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)."

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

Macrobid (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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I have a history of UTIs and kidney infections because my urethra is abnormal. However, with every UTI, I have been prescribed several different antibiotics. None that are accompanied by side effects, but every person is different. With every UTI I have had, I have always experienced headache, nausea, body aches, and fever. All went away with the UTI. When I asked my doctor, he said the antibiotics take between 48 and 72 hours to start taking effect on your body. You may be experiencing some effects of your infection."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I felt the medication would have worked, my symptoms of UTI were easing. Unfortunately, after just 1 day of taking Macrodantin, I had the most awful sudden reaction: cough, uncontrollable shaking, chills, high temperature, body aches, and chest tightness. I didn't have enough energy to shower or leave my bed. I decided to stop and felt I was getting better from the side effects. Twenty-four hours later, I started the medication again. After the 2nd dose, I woke up during the night with the same symptoms. I had pneumonia years ago, these symptoms felt the same. I know I can never take this medication again."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2024

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Over the last decade, I've had about 10 UTIs treated successfully with this drug. I was really happy with it and usually experienced very few side effects. But just a few days ago, I took my first dose, and one hour later, experienced a scary allergic reaction. It started with the palms of my hands slowly becoming itchy. Then the bottoms of my feet itched. Then the itchiness became unbearable, and I was scratching frantically. My hands were red and felt as itchy as the worst mosquito bite you've ever had. Shortly after that, I noticed a rash on my neck and chest, and I felt a pain, like heartburn, inside my chest. I quickly took two antihistamines and told my husband to watch me for further signs and be ready to call an ambulance. Fortunately, the antihistamines kicked in after about an hour, and my reaction slowly subsided. Please just be aware that even if you have taken this drug successfully in the past, you can develop an allergic reaction to it at any point."

• Hei...
• July 18, 2016

Macrobid (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."

• Hei...
• July 18, 2016

Macrobid (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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2017

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "Worst medicine ever!!! Went to the ER & was diagnosed with a UTI, so this med was prescribed! I've been in bed now 2 days straight! The headaches & body aches are just ridiculous! Not to mention I don't have an appetite, but I've been throwing up off & on! This medicine made me worse than I was in the beginning! This is my first & last time taking this, that's for sure!"

• Suf...
• April 23, 2017

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I was prescribed this medication after having symptoms for 1-2 days. I am not a pill taker. I was in between insurance, so I had to go see a minute clinic provider. I was told the drug was highly effective and asked if I wanted to try it. I knew Cipro worked in the past, but the prescriber seemed adamant that this med would take care of my symptoms. To no avail, I've had a horrible smell in my urine, a bout of leakage, and now on day 4, my bladder and urinary tract burn and literally feel sore and swollen. This medicine is complete crap! I would have been healed by now had I been given the medication I requested in the first place! Now I am out 200 bucks and feel horrible and wondering if I have to go through this all over again in 2 days..."