Skip to main content

Macrobid for Bladder Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

Macrobid has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 205 reviews for the treatment of Bladder Infection. 33% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 45% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Macrobid

  • Freaked...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2017

"I was prescribed Macrobid for a UTI. Within 12 hours of my first dose, I had extreme body and muscle pain from my ankles to my shoulders. I am 100% aware that many people can take Macrobid and be fine, I'm just relieved to read that some other people went through what I did for the simple fact that I thought I was dying! The morning after I started taking the meds, even my lungs felt bruised. I was too weak to hardly even walk. I returned to the doctor and totally thought they would hospitalize me. He wrote me a new script and sent me home. My mother and husband took turns taking care of me until I stopped vomiting and writhing in pain, which in total took days. I couldn't eat and even couldn't take care of my small children for two days."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
56 Report
  • swim2...
  • November 26, 2015

"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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
62 Report
  • Vicky
  • July 8, 2016

"After reading a lot of bad reviews, I was hesitant to use Macrobid as a treatment for a pretty severe bladder infection. However, I didn't experience many of the side effects that I read about. Although it did make me rather fatigued, I made sure to drink lots of water and took my pills with a nice healthy meal! I also took my 100 mg pills twice a day at the exact same time to get my body on a routine. Almost 3 days off of it and feeling back to 100%! I would have no problem using this antibiotic again!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
58 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • deede...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 24, 2015

"I had an extremely painful bladder infection, and this medication worked by day 3. I'm on day 6 now, one more day to go. The only side effect I had was feeling tired and achy, but I slept more, which helped. Also, extreme anxiety from reading the scary reviews on here, lol. This medicine saved me from a kidney infection."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
61 Report
  • WhatN...
  • July 30, 2014

"I was prescribed Macrobid for a bladder infection on a Friday. I took the first dose that evening after dinner. I woke up Saturday morning feeling fine, took another dose, and it went downhill from there. We went out for breakfast, and the fun began: nausea, chills, etc. I had to go home and get in bed for the remainder of the day. I had a fever of 101.3. I had a terrible headache, joint pain, etc. On Sunday, I was so freaked out that my husband took me to an urgent care clinic. I was told that it wasn't the Macrobid, but that my bladder infection had become systemic. Baloney. I would wake up and feel fine, take the medication with milk, and whammo! Down for the count. I am now on day five and finally went to work today. I totally felt hungover."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
65 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Dee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 23, 2019

"No problems whatsoever. I'm on day 3, and most of my pain is gone. It didn't work as quickly for me as it did for others here, but I must have a bad bladder infection. Eat with the pill. Take it in a timely fashion. Remember that every symptom is not a result of the antibiotic."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
37 Report
  • Gee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 9, 2019

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
37 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2013

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
64 Report
  • Sam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2019

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • Alexi...
  • August 8, 2016

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • LDano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2019

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report
  • Mrs...
  • March 21, 2014

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
56 Report
  • calaver
  • July 25, 2014

"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
Was this helpful?YesNo
53 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 2, 2009

"I have been on Macrobid for a urinary tract infection for 4 days and still do not have relief. I have called my doctor, and he has now prescribed me a sulfa drug. I have used the sulfa drug in the past, and it works quickly. I am miserable on the Macrobid, exhausted, irritable, weepy, nauseous, and have a headache."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
71 Report
  • TSIBM
  • July 12, 2013

"65 years old, never had a urinary tract infection before, (now I know what they are!) probably had it for months, related symptoms to nurse friend, she said to call the doctor, sounds like a UTI. Doctor gave Macrobid prescription, 20 hours later after the first couple of capsules, had 99% relief. Continued taking for two weeks and didn't have side effects, as far as I could determine. I won't wait months before calling the physician next time."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
56 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 11, 2011

"It cleared up my urinary tract infection symptoms within 24 hours, however, my doctor prescribed it to me for 2 weeks. Today was the end of the first week, and I've experienced a slight shortness of breath and a bit of weight on my lungs, almost like one feels with bronchitis. I feel as though I must breathe deeply in order to fully expand my lungs, and sometimes it causes me to have a dry cough. I think I'll stop taking it before things get worse."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
62 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 3, 2016

"I had a stubborn UTI that was unresponsive to Cipro and starting to show signs of a kidney infection. This drug was a miracle worker. Within 48 hours, I finally felt relief after a long, horrible wait of dealing with intense bladder pressure. I ate heavy meals with each pill, did not experience nausea or other GI issues. I was, however, tired ALL 7 days of this pill. I slept so much, I mean seriously, this pill knocked me out. So that is frustrating, but will take fatigue any day over GI symptoms, and at the point I started taking this drug, I was willing to try anything to get rid of this infection. I was SO miserable. I just finished my last pill and noticed a dry cough with shortness of breath, so that's why I gave it an 8."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
45 Report
  • Saint...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 8, 2019

"I hated using Macrobid. It gave me ugly stomach cramps and headaches. I’m 26 weeks pregnant, and it was either take this or Bactrim. I was not about to take Bactrim. My UTI is gone, but I had to deal with a week of upper abdominal pain, headaches, and just an overwhelming sense of feeling like absolute garbage. Thankfully, none of it went to my baby girl. That’s the only positive of this medicine, it goes straight to your urinary system."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
30 Report
  • Kathy...
  • August 5, 2014

"I took Macrobid for two days. By day three I was nauseous, dizzy, and had diarrhea. I felt weak and dizzy and almost passed out. My doctor told me to stop the medication. It turned out that my culture was normal, and I didn't need antibiotics! I am now without the meds, and I feel like I have a virus!"

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
50 Report
  • Sarah...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 8, 2019

"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)."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report
  • HPG
  • October 8, 2015

"I've been suffering from UTIs off and on for the last year. During this time, I was prescribed a sulfate antibiotic, which I discovered I was allergic to within hours. I developed hives and blisters all over my face and body. So, Cipro was prescribed every time for the UTIs that subsequently followed. It seemed it took about 5 days for the symptoms to go away, but I never felt fully cured because even though the urgency and burning went away, I was having a hard time holding my urine if I had a close to full or full bladder. Then, I would have about 2 weeks of feeling okay, only to have the UTI start all over again. I was at my wits' end. I was prescribed Macro, I felt relief in 2 hours with absolutely no side effects. I hope this is finally the end!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report
  • Ale
  • August 31, 2019

"I had taken Macrobid before years ago and remember feeling very sick. I recently had such a bad infection I was desperate. Within the first dose, I was feeling so much better. I am now on dose 3 and have not had any side effects at all!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • sousl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2016

"I am always prescribed Macrobid for UTIs, and it has always worked for me. It does cause some side effects, but for me, it is usually just fatigue for a few hours after taking it and a bit of diarrhea near the end, once the infection is gone, but I am still finishing up the meds. I know some people get more severe side effects, but I have always been lucky on this drug."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • mizrob
  • October 17, 2015

"This works fine for me. I'm allergic to most of the antibiotics out there, but not this one, thankfully. I get UTIs frequently because I always have to be cultured, sometimes that waiting period helps the thing really get going. Normally, it's a 10-day course. I do not get headaches or any of the side effects others have had. Everybody's body is different, the only way you'll know how you will react is to take it yourself."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
43 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 29, 2016

"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."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 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.