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Nitrofurantoin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin

Nitrofurantoin has an average rating of 4.5 out of 10 from a total of 1,854 reviews on Drugs.com. 30% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 52% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Nitrofurantoin

  • EmIly...
  • April 13, 2012

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I absolutely love this medication. Works really fast, I didn't leave me with any side effects, and makes me feel better within a few hours! I will never take another medication for a urinary tract infection again besides this one!"

10 / 10
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  • Gee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 9, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Worst antibiotic I've ever taken. I went to a walk-in clinic as I had back pain. They did a urine sample and said that I appear to have a low-level UTI (even though I had no other symptoms), and I was prescribed Macrobid 100 mg 2 x a day for 3 days. I noticed one day in that my skin felt a little tingly but thought I was just being weird. By the end of the second day, I got this horrible joint pain (knees, bottom, and elbows) that was so heavy and uncomfortable that I didn't take my final pill (I read about others' side effects that they experienced). One day off them and my joints seem to be a bit better, but it's like when one symptom subsides, another arises. When I stand, it's like I can feel the blood rush to my feet and my skin in my abdomen area becomes itchy! I will NEVER take this again, and I hope that these side effects go away soon. Not impressed."

1 / 10
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  • Jameson
  • 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."

5 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Rosie
  • November 9, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Prescribed Macrobid 100 mg x 2 daily (first time ever) for a mild bladder infection. Had the first one at lunch (didn’t read or anticipate any side effects). I was busy at work; began to feel increasingly ill with flu symptoms (way worse than how I’d felt with my UTI). I then developed shivers, aching with nausea and stomach cramps. I thought it strange I was getting the flu at the same time as a bladder infection! That night was horrific after a second dose; thought I was having an asthma attack (never had asthma before but felt like it), palpitations, tachycardia. My upper back and neck hurt so much, terrible headache (unusual for me). Having read these reviews, I’m 100% convinced this was a side effect of the antibiotic; no other explanation. Still feel dreadful and ‘poisoned’. Started large doses of D Mannose as it’s a weekend. Anyone who thinks the symptoms are placebo are wrong! I wasn’t anticipating any reaction! This is a truly scary drug which I will never touch again."

1 / 10
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  • nervous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 8, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am a very nervous person when it comes to medication. I am so nervous that I went and sat in a cafe at the hospital when I plucked up the courage to take the first pill. My UTI had gotten a lot worse, and all I can say is that I wish I had started this antibiotic at the very first signs of infection! I took it with big meals and drank 2 liters of water a day. I had some nausea and fatigue, but it was worth it for the relief of the UTI. Worked within 24 hours."

10 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Et_tu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2015

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I have a very, very hard time with medicine. Even mild medications have made me extremely sick. I can't tolerate Cipro or Bactrim, and easily get UTIs. I was terrified this time when they gave me Macrobid because I'd never had it. Even Z-Pak made me very sick. And then I read these reviews and just cried at the thought of taking it. I went out and bought crackers and Sprite, etc., to prepare for what's been described here. Then I took it and waited... and waited... and waited. Nothing horrible ever happened. It's important to remember that everyone has a different experience. Don't even read these. My main advice with this med is to eat, eat, eat. If anything happens you feel is weird, just ask your doctor. But mostly, relax and trust your doctor."

10 / 10
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  • Candice...
  • October 13, 2013

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "My urinary tract infection symptoms were not nearly as painful as the side effects of this medicine. It cleared up the UTI in a day, but by the second day, it was nausea, extreme fatigue, no appetite, joint and muscle pain, stomach pain, complete weakness, chills, and fever. The pharmacist said it was probably the UTI. Now it's day 5, and I'm in agony. Stopping Macrobid and calling the doctor in the morning."

3 / 10
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  • Anony...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 28, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I haven't experienced any of the side effects others have mentioned earlier. After just one dose of Macrobid, within hours, all of my noticeable symptoms were virtually gone. It may have helped that I got my prescription at the first sign of a UTI, before the pain became terrible. Zero side effects during treatment."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • solie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 25, 2013

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medication for 2 days and I'm calling the doctor this morning. I will not be taking the next pill. I feel worse than before, as if I have the flu. I cannot sleep, and I'm sweating hot and cold. I have headaches and feel nauseous even after taking the pill with food. This isn't for me at all."

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  • jthsrm
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 5, 2017

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) for Prevention of Bladder infection "Before starting on this drug, I was going through a nasty cycle of UTIs and thrush. I would get a UTI due to intercourse, and after taking antibiotics to treat it, I would then develop thrush. The cycle happened about 7 or 8 times over the course of a year, even though my husband and I were taking every preventative measure possible and following doctors' advice (wash before and after, pee within 5 minutes, drink lots of water, etc.). I even saw a urologist to try and get to the bottom of it. I couldn't break the cycle until I was prescribed this. I don't take it daily; after we have had intercourse, I take one as a preventative. Since starting this medication, I have not had one UTI. I have no side effects. It has greatly improved my quality of life."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2013

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I was peeing like crazy, approximately every 10 minutes. I decided to see my doctor, she prescribed Macrobid, and within a day I could already notice results! I do feel a little queasy after taking this pill, but more food always helps. This is the best thing ever! I now don't have to worry if my coworkers would notice my frequent trips to the washroom, and I don't hurt anymore."

10 / 10
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  • mered
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 24, 2012

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken this medication twice. I started feeling unwell after 4 days the first time around. The second time, I thought I had the flu as well as a urinary tract infection. The last pill of the day was taken at supper time. By bedtime, I was feeling ill, and then by midnight I felt very ill, delirious, with nausea, chills, and a rapid heartbeat. I went to the doctor and was told to discontinue the medication."

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  • Anony...
  • 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 first two times was 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 diarrhoea and this morning I woke up and felt like I had 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."

1 / 10
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  • Marie
  • December 19, 2018

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "Please don’t take Macrobid! I just got out of the hospital after taking a full dose for a UTI. I started itching in my head on Friday, by Sunday morning, I had a severe rash, and my joints and muscles hurt so bad my legs gave out on me, and then I started having shortness of breath and chest pains. Went to the UTC where I got the prescription, and they had me rushed to the ER. I was having a heart attack. They gave me an epinephrine pen. I ended up staying in the hospital and did have a heart attack, but because I did not have blocked arteries, it was not a major one, but this drug caused some cells to die in my heart, and now I have to go to a cardiologist to find out what is next for me. Please, please be careful taking this drug."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 30, 2012

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) for Prevention of Bladder infection "I am a paraplegic due to a gunshot to my spine incurred in Vietnam. I had taken Macrodantin for over forty years, and it helped to greatly curb my infections due to the need for intermittent catheterization three times daily. It caused side effects as I got older. I hadn't realized that this medicine was causing me to be continuously dizzy and generally unwell. I have since stopped taking it."

8 / 10
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  • nique
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 14, 2014

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "This is my second time on Macrobid, both times given during pregnancy. The first time it made me extremely sick, and I took it after a light snack and drank milk. I felt so bad I couldn't stomach taking the pill again. This time around, I got a urinary tract infection so bad I was having very bad pains under my ribs, so I figured the sickness from the antibiotic was better than the severe pain I was having. I started the meds four days ago and now I feel 100% better! Before every dose, I eat a COMPLETE MEAL so that my stomach is coated, and I have not had one side effect besides drowsiness, which I don't mind as much, but the pain is gone and I am back to my normal self. I am so happy the pills worked so fast and with food leave me perfectly fine."

10 / 10
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  • Sam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "Going thru the reviews . Sounds like most of them are just on the wrong antibiotic. Nausea, fever, chills etc are also signs of a bad kidney infection. Not saying they are all like that, but some of them could be. "

5 / 10
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  • Alexi...
  • August 8, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I got a pretty bad bladder infection and got prescribed this medicine. I didn't bother to check reviews, as my infection was so bad that all I wanted to do was be able to pee. I'm on day 3. Symptoms barely better. On top of that, I now have bad pain in my lower back, a swollen stomach that hurts really bad, gas, constipation, and worst of all, I can barely stay awake. I'm exhausted. I have zero energy, and I've been bedridden since the first dose. My joints hurt, my shoulders hurt, I am dizzy and nauseous. And I take the dose with a decent meal to prevent stomach upset, but it doesn't work. The worst part is that I keep having bouts of diarrhea, but nothing comes out. I don't know if the medicine is worse than the disease, but I'm miserable."

2 / 10
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  • ABano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "After just a couple doses, I am extremely tired and sleepy, and having bad dreams from which I wake up agitated and anxious. Taking Macrobid for the first time now after a horrendous UTI/bladder/kidney infection treated with Cipro left me with another Cipro-resistant infection. I am allergic to penicillins, mycins, and sulfas, so antibiotic choices are limited. I am posting just to reassure others who might have similar experiences and wonder if it is the drug, which is how I myself ended up on this webpage. I am going to stick with it and hope side effects don’t get worse, and it finally rids me of this infection and accompanying severe abdomen and back pain."

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  • Missx...
  • November 27, 2016

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "I have never posted a review, but I wanted to let people know out there that you don't have to be afraid to take this if you need to. I am one of those who always Googles medicine reviews, and I scared myself half to death with the horrible reviews on this antibiotic. So worried that I almost didn't take it. Well, I'm glad I did. It took away my UTI that was going into my kidneys, and I had absolutely no side effects. Yes, everyone is different and some people will have bad effects from it, but I am very sensitive to medications, and I had no issues whatsoever. Always be sure to take it with food and just let it do its job!"

10 / 10
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  • LDano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2019

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid after phoning my GP with symptoms of cystitis. I sent a sample in for testing and was given a 7-day course. I hadn’t been given this drug before, but as I am 7 weeks pregnant, the options are more limited. My cystitis symptoms did clear up quickly on Macrobid, but I would never take this medication again due to the horrible side effects! I was extremely nauseous constantly, physically sick, lost my appetite, had no energy, and had aching pains in my lower back, abdomen, and thighs. I also suffered with constipation and severe bloating. I understand that drugs have side effects, but I found them worse than the actual water infection, and we all know how awful they can be, so that says it all! I’ve never reacted to an antibiotic before and will be asking for an alternative if I have another water infection."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 8, 2012

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "This medicine worked really well. It did take about 3 days to kick in and make me feel 100% better, though. I took it as directed and did not have any problems. I did have nausea about 8 hours after taking the pill, but I would eat something and the nausea would go away. Make sure to drink lots of fluids in order to get rid of the infection and continue to drink lots of fluids to prevent the infection! I took the medication twice daily for seven days."

9 / 10
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  • Mrs...
  • March 21, 2014

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "This medication cleared my urinary tract infection symptoms within 24 hours, but left me feeling super sleepy and dizzy! I guess it's a small price to pay for relief. I'm glad I have a few days off work, though, because I would not be able to work like this."

8 / 10
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  • Monih...
  • September 12, 2012

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) for Urinary Tract Infection "Macrodantin, also known as nitrofurantoin, is a really good medication for UTI. I was struggling with UTI for a long time. I tried Cefalexin, and it didn't work for me. I did try Augmentin, as I never had a problem with this one, and it's really strong, but I started to vomit after 2 hours of taking the pill. Macrodantin can be a good choice for people with a sensitive stomach. I had no side effects."

8 / 10
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  • calaver
  • July 25, 2014

Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for Bladder Infection "I took this for bladder infection, and I got so sick. My body felt weak, my stomach was upset, and overall I felt like I had a bad case of the flu. My doctor said it was a side effect and gave me a different antibiotic."

10 / 10
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53 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.