Macrobid for Urinary Tract Infection User Reviews (Page 5)

• DMM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2024

"I was prescribed a 5-day course of Macrobid for a UTI through telehealth. I had side effects. The drug worked well, and I felt back to 100% the day after I finished the medication. I always took it with food and drank plenty of water."

• luc...
• April 27, 2015

"Started Macrobid, no reaction first day. Second day, felt congested in my chest, which was weird. By that night, I had cold fingers and toes and very sore joints: toes, fingers, ankles, and worst of all, the knees. Feel really awful, have stopped the antibiotic, never again. Can't wait to feel normal again."

• LBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2016

"I am 6 weeks pregnant and ended up with my first UTI. I was prescribed Macrobid because I am very allergic to sulfa antibiotics, which landed me in a hospital a few years back. Upon reading the reviews, I was so incredibly terrified to take this medication, but I had no choice. I'll consider myself lucky, but so far I have found that Macrobid is actually quite tolerable. I've been a bit more tired and achy than usual and had some mild nausea, but nothing too severe. I have found that taking it with a full meal is critical, and drinking TONS of fluid (water/Gatorade) helps with side effects. But for me, this is really a reminder to take reviews with a grain of salt - you really have no idea how your body will react until you try it yourself."

• K M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2017

"Everyone is different. I had a great experience with Macrobid. I am actually allergic to a few meds, so I was relieved to have one for a mean UTI I got over the last few days. I actually started taking Macrobid, 100 mg twice daily for 7 days, before coming to this site to read the reviews. Firstly, it says to take it with food or milk, so many probably didn't follow those directions because it will give you nausea/vomiting if you don't. The only side effect I've had is drowsiness. But my doctor also prescribed me metronidazole 500 mg, taken twice daily with the Macrobid to offset symptoms that can bring on a yeast infection, etc. I only get UTIs once or twice a year, but this one reared its ugly head, and Macrobid worked wonders for me."

• JME...
• January 19, 2015

"Worked well with slight side effects (currently pregnant), frequent twitching of the left eye, very bright yellow-colored urine, and dry mouth. Side effects were not severe enough to discontinue, and the infection was effectively treated."

• ECa...
• February 23, 2016

"This drug is going on my 'Do Not Prescribe' list. After a day and a half on it, the fatigue was so bad I could barely function. No one claimed to know anything about this side effect, but when I looked it up, I kept seeing it happening to users again and again. It helped my UTI, but I couldn't get off the couch. I phoned my doctor and was switched to Cipro. After skipping my evening dose of Macrobid and taking Cipro instead, I felt almost normal the next day. Be very, very cautious about using this drug."

• PoD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2016

"I was diagnosed with a UTI and kidney infections. They started me on Macrobid two days ago, and yes, death on a doornail set in. When your body utilizes this drug to flush your system, it doesn't just run to your bladder and ta-da! Your body handles this infection with all its defenses, so you SHOULD expect to feel really icky for about a week. I am floored at today's rush in society to get everything done right now or right away. Every body needs time to heal and recover. Allow yourself the precious gift of rest and recuperation it needs, and unless you begin to spike a fever or experience an allergic reaction, hang in there and know it's okay to take some time off to nurture you."

• HNS...
• February 13, 2016

"Currently on day 4/7, 100 mg BID. I went from feeling like my back was being ripped open and sobbing until I couldn't anymore from the pain to waking up the next day after my first dose feeling like a new person, this antibiotic is okay in my book! Mild GI issues, decreased appetite, and headaches are my only side effects. Nothing in comparison to what I was feeling before. All antibiotics aren't fun to be on, so keep that in mind before writing scary negative reviews. Hopeful that the Macrobid clears this up."

• Cec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2024

"I scared myself reading these reviews about the side effects and was hesitant to take it, but I had no issue with this antibiotic as far as side effects other than some tiredness. I had pretty quick pain relief and less frequent urination, unfortunately the UTI came back after the 5-day course and I had to try another antibiotic. But leaving this for people who are scared to try it!"

• Fea...
• October 2, 2019

"I took it for three days until I suddenly experienced severe chest pain and shortness of breath. It went on for hours before I decided to see the doctor. I was immediately sent to A&E. I had three ECGs and a chest X-ray, which showed no problems with my heart. I was given a different antibiotic to try. Chest pain went as soon as I gave them up. It's going on my notes as a no-go medication for me."

• Kib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2017

"So, Macrobid can certainly have some uncomfortable side effects. Most of these are preventable/treatable with headache pills, taking it with lots of food, and probiotics. If you are allergic, that is not the fault of the medicine, nor is it yours. That's just the way the cards were dealt. Macrobid, or nitrofurantoin, is very good for UTI treatment, and the methods it uses make it unlikely for bacteria to build resistance to it. Macrobid should be the first option before general antibiotics for this reason. Macrobid works very well and is usually taken twice daily (breakfast, dinner). For me, I had fatigue and headaches, but they left after two days. After that, I felt fine for the remaining 8 days. And it worked!"

• Mrs...
• June 21, 2015

"I have been taking Macrobid for two days now, and my UTI feels better, but today I woke up with terrible back aches where my kidneys are located and pains on my front sides. I have been so sleepy also today, like can't even keep my eyes open, with bad headaches."

• Seb...
• August 24, 2012

"I have been using Macrobid for a couple of years now. I am allergic to all other medications, and therefore, this is all I have to work with. It works well, doesn't always work for me. Sometimes I have to take a second week of it. I often feel the same way as others. Headache if I haven't drank enough water, upset stomach if I hadn't eaten enough food when taking the pill. It does make me tired as well. I try to eat well when I am on this medication to help with the energy level since I am allergic to caffeine and can't take that path. I think that if you make sure to take the pill with lots of food like they recommend, the nausea isn't that bad. Also, drinking more water than you're ever used to will help with the headaches."

• EGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2019

"DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!! I AM a healthy, active person. I almost never get sick. The night I took the first pill, I was nauseous. I woke up the next day and thought I was getting the flu. My legs ached, and I had the chills. I continued to take the pills thinking I had the flu. I fainted on the second day. I got red eyes, rashes on my legs, heartburn, headache, neck ache, and stomach ache. I look like a zombie. Finally, I thought, this is NOT the flu. I contacted my doctor, and she said, 'stop the pills.' I did a day ago, but I am still feeling horrid.... headache and blahness. Normally, I work out 3 times a week, am active, and work full-time. All I can do now is sit on the couch. I am so sorry I took Macrobid. I hope this drug will eventually get out of my system."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2012

"I have been on Macrobid for 3 days now. I feel so nauseated. I'm so tired, and I can't eat or drink anything, except for a little water, without getting sick. It gives me a horrible headache, and I feel so weak. I am also allergic to sulfa medications (Bactrim), so the doctor gave me this."

• aje...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2016

"I am only taking the time to write this review because I see so many negative ones. I'd hate to see someone not take it and risk an infection getting worse! This drug does work, cleared up my UTI in 2 days. There are some not pleasant side effects-nausea, I've been feeling this one all week, body ache and chills, only on the first day. In my unique case, I'd take any pain in the world over having a strong urge to use the restroom every 30 seconds and intense burning. I've taken this drug once before and felt fine. Talk to the doctor if you're concerned, there are other medications out there!"

• Fel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2015

"After never having even a urine infection in my whole 35 years, after having a baby I got 4 UTIs in 7 months. Keflex for the first. That worked well. Macrobid for the others. It does make me a little drowsy and have mild sort of 'hallucinations,' but it does work for me quite well. After the 2nd dose, all of my symptoms are gone. For me, the benefit outweighs the side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2023

"If you have a UTI and your doctor wants to put you on Macrobid, let me tell you all about the side effects I had. The first day I was on it, I had a raging headache to the point I thought I had a brain tumor inside me. Then days two and three, I had the worst nausea and vomiting I’ve ever had. I would have a severe loss of appetite after taking the first dose in the morning. This is where it got weird. This antibiotic was literally burning my labia lips to where my pubic hairs were burning off me. Second, my butt cheeks felt like they were being electrocuted and with the worst stinging needles in my ass cheeks, I thought I had another condition. I stopped taking this after my UTI felt resolved. Now I’m off it, I am still feeling all these effects. Not to mention all I want to do is sleep. The only positive thing about this drug was it made my raging UTI go away."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

"Awful drug. Took Macrobid for 3 days for UTI, where I couldn’t eat as I felt so sick, slept nearly all day, every day, as it made me so tired. I’m on the progesterone contraceptive pill, it has interacted with that, and I’ve had a period for 3 weeks nonstop since taking these antibiotics (after 5 years of no periods). Three weeks on from taking these, I have been depressed the whole time, not wanting to get out of bed and felt teary, and everything was making me cry. I thought I was going insane as you don’t expect medication to still be affecting you 3 weeks after you have finished taking it!! Gave me twitches in my hands too! Need this medication out of my body ASAP!! Trying to take charcoal, probiotics, and milk thistle to recover my body from this awful drug!! Do not take it, ask for a general antibiotic instead, as it’s so not worth the side effects. I’d rather suffer from the UTI than ever take them again!!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2017

"I am 66 yr. old and get a lot of UTIs after going on the bike, in the pool, and apparatus at the gym that causes friction in that area. I usually get ciprofloxacin, which doesn't affect me much. But, Macrobid causes stomach troubles, nausea, chest and lung problems, chills, fevers, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, and more. I didn't have time to say 'no' to the walk-in doc who gave me this again, but I will never, ever use it again. I know it's going to take another week to get 'semi-normal' again, but this med takes me down every time."

• Bum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2012

"I suffered severe headaches and nausea for hours from the very first dose and every dose thereafter. I would feel faint, overheated, extremely tired; I slept with the windows open and the heat off (it's winter). Four days of taking Macrobid, I began to have loose stools and severe muscle aches and neck stiffness. I began to have a sore throat and a dry cough on day two. After stopping, within 24 hours, I began to itch severely. I've been off of it for 48 hours and I still have a headache and I use Benadryl for the itching. I was given Levaquin in one dose, then Macrobid 100 mg two times a day for 10 days by the ER doctor. But my primary doctor thought it was overkill and should have just used the Levaquin."

• sin...
• April 7, 2015

"It was 5 a.m. in the morning when I first started with the symptoms. My prescription for Macrobid was ready by 9:30 a.m. I took my first dose by 10 a.m. By about 1 p.m., I was able to fall asleep since the pain and urgency to run to the bathroom subsided. Thank goodness."

• lhs...
• June 10, 2015

"I was prescribed Macrobid for a 3-day course, 2 doses a day. The first day I seemed to be getting better, but then I woke up at 4:15 am the morning of the second day with chest pains. Throughout the day, I suffered from headaches, chest pains, muscle and joint aches, nausea, dizziness, fever, and chills. Now on the third day, and though I'm not feeling as ill anymore, I'm still dealing with chest, back, and stomach pains. Can't even tell if treating the UTI because I've been in so much pain. Worst experience I've ever had with antibiotics - would definitely never use Macrobid again!"

• Ade...
• June 13, 2017

"I took this drug after being prescribed it for a UTI. I read some reviews after feeling a little weird but figured I would push through. I called my doctor after taking two pills, and the nurse told me to wait it out and see if it gets worse. Things got worse very quickly. What began as a little bit of nausea ended with body aches, leg cramps, intense chills, night sweats, dizziness, confusion, fainting twice (terrifying), and getting a vaginal infection because of this drug. My UTI symptoms have gotten better, but the pain from my VI is unbearable, and how I feel from this drug is terrible. NOT worth it...do not take this drug. P.S. I only got through taking FOUR pills out of my prescribed ten. I am going to the doctor today, again.:("

• Roa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

"This is the 1st time I've taken this medication, Macrobid. All seemed well the 1st few days. I have one more day left of the meds, and my UTI seems to not be gone. In fact, it seems to be coming back. The burning and frequency have returned. And I'm on the next to the last day of the meds. I won't take it again!!"