Nitrofurantoin and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Yan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I'm trying to be as objective as possible. I was prescribed for a bladder infection. I began to feel relief from my painful urination after day 3. I am currently on day 4, and I must admit the side effects that I have been experiencing are fatigue, tension headaches (primarily on the left side near my ear), hot flashes, cold flashes, body aches (not quite as bad as the flu, but still achy), neon orange-colored urine, nausea, and just general malaise. I still rate high because my symptoms, in my opinion, were far worse than the side effects. Leaving work early today to try to sleep this off. Hopefully, the next week and 3 days aren't any worse. Hope this helps someone."

• Mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2017

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I've had a few UTIs recently, and the antibiotics have worked every time, but this time I was prescribed Macrobid, and after one pill, I felt pretty horrendous. The symptoms of my UTI went away, but it was replaced with really scary symptoms. I took the second pill, not thinking it was side effects, considering I've never had a bad experience with an antibiotic, but woke up during the night feeling like my breathing was so heavy I wasn't sure if I'd need to go to the hospital. The headache was unreal, I ached all over and walked about feeling like I was going to fall down any minute and like I was drunk or something. I called the doctor, who told me to get an antihistamine and not take another. I felt poisoned! Still not fully recovered."

• Mww...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2017

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I took Macrobid a few months ago for my UTI. Worked great. No side effects. This time after getting a UTI again, I was prescribed Macrobid again, but this time I'm getting all the side effects: fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, nauseated, etc. I will probably stop using it now. My UTI does feel a bit better, though."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "Mild nagging headache, mild nausea, cold sweats for up to 3 hrs after ingestion. Negative interaction with Lorazepam dramatically increasing the above side effects and duration. In addition, intense muscle aches and pains. IMHO, steer clear of benzodiazepines with this Rx. This is the 2nd time I took it this month because UTI came back. Antibiotics must be replaced soon by new biotech because we have so changed our internal biome with antibiotics that resistance has caught up with them. The same is true for fungi... google Candida Auris. At our population levels, microbiology has recognized us as their number one food source on the planet."

• Sag...
• March 3, 2017

For Prevention of Bladder infection "I've taken two doses after my gallbladder surgery. The first one left my lips swollen and a bit numb. In about 1 hour, my face felt hot and looked flushed. I felt tingling in my legs. The second time I took it (which was today), after 1 hour, I felt my face really flushed again, and it was red. My chest broke out in a rash. Now I feel flu-like symptoms, and I have a slight fever. I feel aches all over. I'm calling my doctor on Monday to change antibiotics. I'm not taking this anymore."

• kia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible reaction. I took 2 doses for a UTI and got a fever, chills, body aches, extreme headache, and pain in my chest. It hurt to breathe in like I had pneumonia, I couldn't take deep breaths. I stopped the medication, and the effects slowly wore off over the next few days. Never again."

• Ayd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’m a 47-year-old man who was prescribed this medicine 5 days ago. I think it may have cleared it up, although I still have a twinge or ache, but not as bad as before (plus a bad neck and back). But this medicine has made me feel awful: no appetite, nausea, I feel aches and pains, and I’m emotional all the time."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "Within a day of taking this medication, I experienced pain and swelling in my liver, kidneys, and stomach, as well as a headache, burning feet, and pins and needles in my hands. The worst symptom was acid in my stomach, causing me to remain still as much as possible to avoid the feeling that my stomach was being burned on the inside. The pain under my ribs was worse than what I experienced during childbirth. I was certain that my time was up and began praying every night. I only took six tablets and was prescribed a further 14-day course without a doctor even seeing me. I didn't take any more tablets, and after a few weeks of using natural methods to heal myself (such as a castor oil wrap on my back), I physically feel better, but mentally, I am still struggling. This is poison, not medicine, and it doesn't surprise me that money is all pharmaceutical companies care about. I will never visit my doctor again. It has been over ten years since I last visited, and I am normally fit and healthy. No doctor even spoke to me but prescribed this medication."

• sla...
• June 15, 2016

For Bladder Infection "After having taken Nitrofurantoin for 10 days, the side effects occurred a few hours later. First: hands itching, next day, itching under the armpits and pubic area, saw no rash. Itching behind the ears, itching at the center of the hairline in the back, upper and lower back, front of neck, blisters on my right shoulder, a few hives on my back, chills, severe neuropathy in feet and hands (almost unbearable burning and itching). Rashes on my neck (in front), at the large chest area, above the breasts, chest pain on and off."

• Mis...
• June 21, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given the Macrobid medication for a UTI. I took the first dose with food before bed and woke up feeling okay. I took the second dose that morning and headed into work. On my way into work, driving, I began to get dizzy, I thought I wouldn’t make it in. I arrived, then I immediately left work-went home with a headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and body aches. I took another dose before bed to try and power through, then woke up the following morning unable to move, again with flu-like symptoms. My doctor told me to stop taking the medicine. And I will NEVER take it again. I am currently a day and a half off the antibiotic and still experiencing nausea, diarrhea, aches, and exhaustion. It is getting much better as time goes on, but I feel as if I wasted time on a medicine that made me even more sick when I should be UTI-free by now. My stomach is still so sensitive from this, so I cannot even go back on another antibiotic yet. Still have a UTI, missed three days of work, and feeling awful."

• Qaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I am so glad I just googled everyone else's comments. I took 2 tablets yesterday and was fine. After breakfast this morning, I can honestly say my body hasn't known such pain, and all over! From my head to my toes, it's hot outside, yet I'm inside shaking with shivers and a hot water bottle. My head is pounding, I have a dry mouth, I feel disorientated. I ache all over, my tummy hurts. So I've stopped taking it, and the doctor says to wait and see what happens before I take another antibiotic. I'm glad I'm not alone, as I thought I was going to call 999! Although not glad anyone else has suffered like this. Awful, awful drug and all help from doctors really."

• NoN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2016

For Prevention of Bladder infection "Effectively killed bacteria, but I had an extreme adverse reaction to the antibiotic-fever of 103.5, headache, body pains, sore red rash on calves. Adverse reaction developed after about 5 days of taking medication (the first time). Adverse reaction developed several hours after taking the first dose of medication the second time it was prescribed for me."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I've been having repeat bladder/kidney infections... 5 in 4 months... have no idea the cause... being sent for a kidney scan. My last lot of antibiotics (currently) were these... I got to day 4 and was hit with a high fever, uncontrollable shivering, every muscle in my body hurt, sore back and neck, and a thumping headache. Took paracetamol and ibuprofen, and within 3 hours started to feel my temperature come down. The next morning I read the side effects... OMG... I was experiencing most of them, the wheezy breathing and cough now started. Because it's a Saturday and it says to consult your doctor if you experience any side effects. I've just stopped taking them... it was really scary. From reading the other comments, I think it'll take 2 days to start to feel better."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2018

For Bladder Infection "By the third day of taking the med 100 mg every 12 hrs, my UTI symptoms were better, but I was now having chills, nausea, pounding headache, arms and legs ache like the flu, excruciating lower back pain, heavy pelvic feeling, unsettled anxious feeling throughout my nerves, and couldn’t work for a week. I returned to the doctor, but she kept me on it as my urine was negative at this point, day 4, and labs perfect. It just occurred to me now at day 5, after taking my 9th and 10th doses today, that it’s shortly after taking the med that all the symptoms start over. It’s awful, flu-like. I’m calling the MD in the morning. And after googling it, I found proof others have had the same. Thought I was going crazy!!!!!"

• ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I am on my 5th day of this treatment for an acute UTI. I felt it working within the first 6 hours of taking it. It didn't get rid of my symptoms right away, but it took the worst of the symptoms away within a day. The other symptoms faded more slowly. As far as side effects, I did experience mild nausea, a bit of abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Compared to the excruciating symptoms of the UTI, I can live with these side effects. This is the 5th day of treatment, and the first day that I can say I am symptom-free."

• Car...
• May 2, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I took 3 doses of Macrobid for a UTI and started feeling awful a few hours after the 3rd dose. I had a fever of 101, body aches, chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, couldn’t hold down any food. The next day, I was delirious, could barely form a sentence, so weak I couldn’t sit up. My hubby was so worried he called 911. They tested my blood to make sure the infection hadn’t gone to my kidneys — kidneys were fine. My urine was all clear. They gave me IV fluids, so I felt better. The next day, sick as a dog again. Home healthcare doc came. They ran a flu swab test — negative. They said if not better tomorrow, get admitted to the hospital for a full workup. They all told me to complete the 5-day Macrobid. I didn’t take it today because I would have thrown it up. Now that I am reading all these reviews, I am thankful I stopped!"

• Cur...
• October 3, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I'm allergic to sulfa and penicillin, so my doc prescribed Macrobid. The first time I took this medicine, I felt fine besides some nasty nausea. I didn't take the last 3 pills because of it, but my UTI went away almost immediately. This time, I feel horrible. I felt good after the first 2-3 doses, but now after I take it (3rd day), I am weak, I feel like it's hard to breathe, and my stomach burns/hurts so bad I can't stand it. It also makes me very tired and out of it/woozy. The burning during urination has gone away, but I feel worse than what I did with the UTI. I hate to stop it early, but I fear I may end up in the hospital if I don't. It's not a bad med, just hit or miss side effects. I say try it out though. It's worth that much at least."

• los...
• November 30, 2020

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed 50 mg Macrodantin capsules to be used over the course of 7 days for treatment of a UTI. Let me tell you right now that this medicine not only doesn't work and that I still have a UTI after completing the course; the side effects were like nothing I had ever felt before, and my infection actually progressed to a kidney infection. First off, I started to feel nauseous while taking this medicine and thought that it would be alright after a few days. However, by day 3, I was in agony with abdominal pain, chest pain, lower back pain, fever, and chills. The nausea was also still there. I decided to call my doctor, and they advised that I finish my 7-day course and then call back if symptoms did not stop by day 7. By day 7, I still had a UTI, as well as chest pain, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fever, and chills, all of which only started to happen once I took these antibiotics. This medicine may as well be a placebo."

• Oel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Avoid! I was prescribed this drug for a UTI, and after 3 days, I had numbness and tingling in my hands, feet, and face. At first, I thought it was just a food allergy. I looked up the side effects list: neuropathy is indeed a side effect and can be severe. It was a very distressing experience. Discontinuation of the drug solved the issue. Note: After speaking to my pharmacist, she noted that this should not be a first-line drug for UTI due to its side effects, yet many docs are prescribing it - maybe due to antibiotic resistance."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Prevention of Bladder infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for recurrent UTIs and bladder infections. I’m supposed to be taking one a day for 3 months, then every other day. I’ve been on it about a month now, and for the last week I’ve been waking up every day with severe pain in the back of my neck that goes straight up into the middle of my head. And it is very painful. Now I have, out of nowhere, severe dry eyes. Never had that before. It feels like there is dirt in my eyes all the time. The abdominal pains started yesterday. After researching this drug, I realize that it’s most likely all from Macrobid. I stopped taking it 2 days ago, and I hope it gets out of my system soon."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this medication, and by day 2 I was nauseous, vomiting (until there was nothing but green bile coming up), diarrhea, body aches, chills, sweats, and very weak and extremely cold. I have had UTIs in the past, but this was the first time I have taken this antibiotic. I had to stop taking it for my own health. I felt like I was going to die if I took one more dose of this stuff. I wouldn't say the pill is horrible, but it is not for me. I need another type of antibiotic."

• Ugh...
• September 3, 2019

Macrobid (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."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2022

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken this medication twice for a mild UTI and had a bad experience both times. Fever, chills, body aches. I forgot which antibiotic I was given the first time. Not anymore. Never taking again. 52% reported a bad experience?"

• sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I’m generally terrified of medication, and this one has some horrible reviews. Be aware it can cause pulmonary reactions as well as neuropathy. I would never take this daily for prevention, but I took it when I was pregnant as well as this week. No side effects, but I would consider myself lucky. As with any medication, weigh the benefits and risks. My bladder infection only got worse after a month of trying natural cures, so I really had no choice. If you have to take it, know everyone doesn’t have side effects, and if you do, immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "After taking my first tablet of Nitrofurantoin for a UTI, I began vomiting and couldn't even keep water down. After the first day, I felt so unwell and spent 2 days in bed with a fever and shaking, and my whole body was in pain. I then started with a chronic headache and a tight chest with a cough. I was utterly exhausted and felt so unwell. I've now got tingling in my fingers. I've never reacted to any antibiotic like this one and urge anyone not to take it."