I was prescribed metronidazole due to a slight bacterial vaginal infection. I was told I have to take it 2x a day for 7 days. I took my first pill this morning and a couple of hours ago, I urinated for the first time and experienced a burning sensation right after urinating. I also started to feel the urge right after that and a continuous pain in my urinary region even while not using the restroom. Ive had a UTI before and this is exactly what it felt like. The same day I was prescribed the meds, the tested my urine and said there was no UTI, which was about 5 days ago. Is it possible that this is a side effect from the drug?
Does metronidazole cause UTI type symptoms?
Question posted by nisha83 on 20 April 2011
Last updated on 30 November 2021
4 Answers
muffinman33
30 Nov 2021
i was also prescribed the gel and am having similar symptoms. theres no burning or pain really, but at times a constant urge to pee. its like a pressure. ill feel relief once in awhile but i pretty much feel like i have to pee all day.
i did the gel for 5 days as prescribed. i was having slight symptoms before from the bv but the urge to urinate was worse after starting the medication. i finished the gel hoping it would go away, and unfortunately it hasnt. i stopped the medication a week ago and the urge is still there. :/ any updates from anyone who’s had the same thing happen?? did it go away?!
brianajoy
30 Nov 2021
hi i stopped taking the medication like 2 or 3 days in and all my symptoms went away after a day or two. i then got prescribed a different medication and luckily the new one didn’t give me those awful symptoms
brianajoy
9 July 2020
Hi I’m experiencing uti symptoms and chest pain. It’s been 2 days since I started taking flagyl. Please tell me has anyone’s symptoms gone away!
Novalear
24 July 2020
I followed the directions for the antibiotics I really wish I didn't and stopped them earlier but I was worried about the risks if I did. I didnt notice when the symptoms went away so I dont know how long it took. At first I was tracking it thinking about it way too much eventually I stopped , without thinking about it constantly I didnt realize till the other week it's been back to normal. I really hope it clears up alot faster than it did for me
Mydnyte 81
12 Oct 2020
I have no pain or burning following this medication that ended four days ago. I however have urinated nine times in a 2.5 hour time frame while attempting to wind down/sleep. This seems to happen mostly at night but tonight is worse than normal for the number of times it's occurred. Was yours an all day frequent urination, or mostly at night? Any input you can give would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
muffinman33
30 Nov 2021
did this get better for you?! its been one week since my last dose of the gel and im having constant urge and now some chest pains.
brianajoy
30 Nov 2021
hi i stopped taking the medication like 2 or 3 days in and all my symptoms went away after a day or two. i then got prescribed a different medication and luckily the new one didn’t give me those awful symptoms
Novalear
17 Feb 2020
Can someone tell me how long the frequent urination lasted. I'm going on three weeks since the last dose and I still have it.
Soninhanyc
5 March 2020
Can you please tell me it went away!?
Novalear
5 March 2020
So far not yet and it's been 5 weeks now along with headaches blurry vision trouble sleeping and chest pain but of course according to the doctor none of that's related to the gel
Soninhanyc
5 March 2020
I’m going through that right now. The UTI like symptoms but it’s not UTI. I have stopped the metronidazole pills 3 days ago.
brianajoy
9 July 2020
have your symptoms gone away? how many days did you take the antibiotic?
DzooBaby
20 April 2011
The metronidazole wont cause you to have a UTI but the vaginal infection could have travelled up the urethra and infected the bladder or the infection could have irritated the urethra causing a burning sensation. If it has been 5 days since you were tested it is possible that the infection occured in those 5 days or it could just be an irritated urinary meatus or opening which is causing the burning but with the tender suprapubic area, it sounds more like you have develpoed a UTI. Call your Dr and let them know your symptoms. Metronidazole will not help a UTI. You will need another antibiotic for the UTI. Why did you wait so long between being diagnosed to starting the medication?
nisha83
21 April 2011
Im a college student and I was prescribed the meds right before a weekend. I was told I couldnt have alcohol so I figured it wouldnt hurt to hold out a couple of days on taking the meds. Strangely, the burning only lasted for that day and completely stopped. Its possible because I have been drinking nothing but water but the symptoms have disappeared. I have no idea what was going on.
leelee913
31 Dec 2012
2 days and a week ago I was prescribed Metronidazole in the jell form once a day for 7 days for the same infection and the same thing happened to me, I always feel like I have to use the restroom, it burns right after I do use to restroom, and it burns non-stop... these symptoms started about 4 days ago. I've had UTIs before but they were never this bad... I have also have a couple kidney stones and experienced the same symptoms but my kidney hurt more than anything and I've had to get surgery for one of them so I'm not sure if my symptoms are caused from the Metronidazole, a uti, or even a small kidney stone. My mother gave me antibiotics that were prescribed to me not that long ago that the pharmacy I used to use gave me an extra prescription of (its a long story which is why I've changed pharmacys) what should I do? Do you guys think its from the Metronidazole?
leelee913
31 Dec 2012
Sorry I should have looked up the side effects before commenting! Check out this link, its the side effects list!
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/metronidazole-side-effects.html
heidizwrld
10 Jan 2013
I'm thinking yes it is the metronidazole cause I also feel as though I now have UTI and I am to take it 2xs a day today is my 3rd dose and I now feel the same symptoms that u guys have described. Ive also had UTI so Im pretty sure thats whats going on... Its the metronidazone...
kiwen
7 Feb 2014
I'm displaying U.T.I like symptoms as well and I'm on my 8th dose. I'm taking metronidazole twice a day for 7 days. Is that "normal" or does this require immediate attention?
Geelove412
23 June 2014
Me and my husband took metronidazole 500mg 2x a day for 5 days I was miserable the whole time no appetite no energy constipation then when we stopped we both got a UTI the dr says not from meds I say wrong how could we both get a UTI same day and we have been abstaining from sex since we started meds! Then I read all these ppl the same thing and in side affects!! Grrrrr
AmAmo
3 Sep 2016
Can someone please tell me if the frequent urination side effect went away after they stopped taking metronidazole, and how long did it take after you stopped taking metronidazole before this side effect completely went away?
Magalicruz
28 Nov 2016
I also took Metronidazole for vaginitis. After about the 5th day of taking it I started experiencing symptoms of uti. I went to my doctor and no uti. They gave me antibiotics for uti anyway. It has been 2 weeks since I finished the prescription!!! I am still miserable with uti symptoms!!! They have done all kinds of tests and now I got sent to gynecologist. My anxiety is kicking in and I see no end to this :'(
AmAmo
28 Nov 2016
I understand you and I feel your pain. I was in the same place earlier, and I was dealing with this for about 3 months but I am now healed thanks to God. Stop taking the antibiotics, they won't help. Drink lots of water and cranberry juice or take cranberry tablets if you can, to help you pee a lot of water so the uncomfortable sensation in your urethra/clitoris isn't as uncomfortable. Check if you are constipated, if you are take castor oil for 2 days to flush out your colon. Sometimes constipation can cause pressure on your bladder and make you feel as though you have to pee frequently. If you have serious clitoral discomfort check underneath your clitoral hood if you have plenty discharge built on there that is a very likely cause of the discomfort and throbbing there, clean off the discharge your clitoris should feel irritated for maximum 12 hours after the cleaning, but it will go back to normal with no throbbing sensation after doing so.
Check if you are showing symptoms of thrush, because that can cause clitoral discomfort and uti symptoms, talk to your gynaecologist in this case for treatment. I am just filling you in on the routes I took to fix this problem and I am now healed thank God. I can imagine how anxious you are, I was too. You'll be fine, don't stress.
Magalicruz
28 Nov 2016
Thank you!!! I have an appointment with GYN set up just in case anything else is wrong and I actually started cranberry and a lot of water. Good to know it wasn't just me though, feeling a little more relaxed!!!
Kamweon11
30 Dec 2016
I have been taking metronidazole for 3 days now and it feels like every 5 minutes I'm using the restroom! This didn't start until I started taking the meds!!! It's not a uti it's the medicine I'm not a doctor but I know my body!
Shreya katiyar
23 Feb 2018
It does list one of the less common symptom to be frequent urination
Novalear
17 Feb 2020
Can someone tell me how long the frequent urination lasted. I'm going on three weeks since the last dose and I still have it.
Novalear
23 March 2020
Can someone tell me if they also have bad chest pain
Novalear
26 March 2020
Has anyone had a burning or sore throat after taking metronidazole
brianajoy
9 July 2020
have your symptoms gone away?! I’m experiencing same thing but it’s only been 2 days
Related topics
urinary tract infection, infections, metronidazole
Further information
- Metronidazole uses and safety info
- Metronidazole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metronidazole (detailed)
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