Macrobid and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2015

For Prevention of Bladder infection "Prescribed Macrobid after misdiagnosis. 2nd day, I was yellow, vomiting, dizzy, weak. Hospitalized at hospital emergencies. Took doctors one week to confirm Macrobid was the reason for my liver failure. Almost lost my life."

• lhs...
• June 10, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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.:("

• Jet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Went to Dr. as I had blood in my urine, no other symptoms, culture says UTI. Prescription Macrobid. First day I had a massive headache that hurt so bad I cried. 2nd and 3rd day, nausea and diarrhea with increased anxiety. 4th day, dizziness so bad I felt like I was sleeping drunk, sitting to standing was a nightmare and walking was difficult. Felt flu-like the entire time. It has been 2 weeks since I stopped taking it. Had to go to the Dr. again because the dizziness did not go away. Now I have an inner ear problem that needs to be fixed with therapy. Still feeling sick. 2 panic attacks and still an increase in anxiety. Random periods of time feeling like I can’t catch my breath. Will never ever take again. Also, fun side note, still have blood in urine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "I only gave it a 7 because I'm on day 3. Dizziness and nausea, be careful driving before you get a feel for what your reaction will be. Everyone is different. The nausea was often minimized by eating a decent meal with the meds, but it still came back about an hour to 1.5 hours. The dizziness, I felt like I was drinking, seriously. Hopefully, it's all clear when I'm done in 2 days. I was feeling like crap, I wore a T-shirt that I wear to sleep to my evening class today (I'm over 27). Glad I found this site! If you're a female, ensure you don't have Bacterial Vaginitis (BV) because that should be treated as well."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I began to take Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin mono) 100 mg caplets on last Thursday for a UTI. Within 24 hours, I had severe muscle aching, headache, and fatigue. Within 2 days, I had even more severe body aches, joint pain, extreme fatigue and sleepiness, dizziness and difficulty walking, as well as a fever of 101-102 degrees. I went into a walk-in clinic, but symptoms progressed, and by Sunday, I was in the ER thinking I was in septic shock. I assumed my infection had spread, I had no idea it could be a reaction to the antibiotic. After a barrage of tests, including a CT scan, the only possibility is that this poison was wrecking my health. This medication caused me a huge amount of problems. I stopped taking it yesterday and still have a headache, dizziness, muscle aches, and low fever. I can only hope the damage caused by Macrobid is not permanent."

• Jem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "Successfully cleared my mild UTI, but not without some uncomfortable side effects. Definitely more gentle on the stomach than other antibiotics, but still experienced diarrhea the entire time. No nausea or vomiting, but definitely had dizziness and general malaise. Spent most of the 7-day course in bed because I was just so weak and off balance. My right arm developed a weakness/numbness that felt like I had laid on it for too long, except it didn’t begin to go away until I stopped treatment. Vivid, intense dreams. Developed some frustrating headaches the last few days of treatment, but nothing severe. Would prefer to take this again over other antibiotics if I had to, but I absolutely hope I don’t have to deal with this medication again."

• Eri...
• February 28, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "It made me very sleepy and dizzy. I also got chest pains, and it made my heart race. My urine was also a very bright, almost neon yellow color. I stopped taking it after 2 days, and then I was fine. And I always took it after I ate. The one time I took it on an empty stomach, I vomited and was nauseous for a few hours."

• SVa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took my 4th 100 mg Macrobid pill for UTI, and it helped my pain after taking my second dose. I haven't had any problems, but I made sure to take it with food each time. This last pill I took with food, but it has made me very dizzy for some reason. I don't know why it would this time and not the others, but it's very obvious it's the medicine because I was completely fine before I took it and very dizzy for 3 hours now after taking it. At least it's taken the infection away, though, so I'll take the dizziness."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "When I had my first UTI, I was prescribed Bactrim. Later, I found out that I was allergic to it and developed some hives and rashes. Then my doctor switched it to Macrobid. It was great, I did not develop any side effects. The UTI was gone. Three years later, I developed another UTI. I told my doctor that I preferred to be prescribed Macrobid since I responded very well the last time I took it. But this time is different, I started to develop almost all of the side effects. I feel so weak, nauseated, and dizzy all the time. Loss of appetite and my vision turned out a little funny. But my UTI was better, except that the side effects just got me this time. I would say that Macrobid is a good drug for UTI. As we age, our bodies react differently to drugs, and indeed medications/vaccines are not a one size fits all."

• Mea...
• May 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I normally would write off side effects as 'everyone has a different experience, don't try to discourage others.' However, I have just finished my second day of the Macrobid dose for my UTI, and I have never in my life experienced such unbearable side effects. Within about 2 hours of my first dose yesterday morning, I started feeling extremely nauseous, weak, brain fog, and horrible vertigo. I had to call out of work yesterday and today, almost unable to make it out of bed to use the bathroom or anything. This feels worse than just about any flu I have had. Not to mention, my joints all feel like someone hit them with a crowbar. I can't take this anymore, stopping the med ASAP. I don't even care about the negative effects of stopping an antibiotic prematurely at this point. By all means, take your doctor's advice, take this if it is prescribed to you, but listen to your body!!! Call them about any overwhelming side effects, don't put yourself through absolute torture if you don't have to."

• Ast...
• September 4, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Definitely would NOT take this again. I experienced headache, dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle pain, tingling in my limbs, I was so weak. I really thought something was wrong, and it just so happened all this started when I took the first pill! I am definitely sticking to my ciprofloxacin! I know everyone's different, good luck to the ones that do take it :/"

• CGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Bladder Infection "For everyone that thinks the drug doesn’t work, make sure you have had a urine culture done! It is not for all bacteria. Because I had an indwelling catheter and signs of a UTI, the doctor had me give a urine sample, but it takes 72 hours for the cultures to grow. Then he put me on Macrobid twice a day. By the time the culture got back, they realized that it was not going to work on the type of bacteria that I had (group B strep). So I was switched to Keflex. When I was done with that, I was put back on Macrobid to prevent an infection because I am now catheterizing intermittently. So, make sure you are getting cultures done before blaming the doctor or the drug for not working well for you. Also, Azo (Pyridium) can be bought over the counter to help with bladder spasms and pain. As for side effects, I have had an incident of dizziness, low blood pressure, and racing pulse, but I am not sure if that could have just been attributed to the infection and the fact that I was postoperative."

• leo...
• November 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid 3x100 mg/day, 5 days taken for UTI. This did ease bladder discomfort a little, but the side effects were bad. Only took for 5 days and still have stomach pain and bloating 2 weeks later, plus had nausea, brain fog, dizzy. Never again."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I started this 11 hrs ago... Let me tell you, it has made me feel horrible. Dizzy, trouble concentrating, exhausted, my face feels odd, hot/cold, and I'm nauseous. I am terrified to take another dose. Unfortunately, my culture showed this antibiotic to be most effective. But there is no way I can take 5 days of this. I just looked up reviews and saw that I'm not the only one feeling this way. I have only had a bad reaction to Erythromycin (vomiting) many years ago. I don't recall an antibiotic ever making me feel this way before."

• Am1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2015

For Bladder Infection "Prescribed Macrobid 100 mg for bladder infection. Took the first dose at 5 pm after a full meal (on the advice of my doctor who warned slight stomach irritation). Around 2 am, I woke up vomiting yellow bile, which lasted for several hours. I was shaking and sweating and couldn't even keep water down. I'm on my fourth dose and symptoms are subsiding. I feel like I'm going to vomit, have a headache, and am extremely dizzy. Please be careful when taking this, it's like a flu in pill form!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

For Bladder Infection "Started taking Macrobid last week, and after the first dose, I felt off. I ended up leaving work early that day because I had intense nausea, chills, and general lethargy. Later that evening, it had progressed to a fever, balance issues, and it's like I had no legs under me. Took one more dose, and it was the same issues. Decided to discontinue the meds, and the side effects went away almost immediately. But that didn't help the bladder infection. I started to think maybe it was the infection that had caused all of the side effects, despite not having any now. So I took another dose this morning. You guessed it, ALL of the side effects from before. So I contacted my NP who prescribed Cipro instead. My pharmacist says that the adverse reactions are pretty rare, but I can't imagine taking the full course of Macrobid. The nausea was the worst! I honestly felt terrible!"

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid was the worst medicine I had for a UTI. I only took one dose before bed to start with. I felt dizziness, sweating, heart racing, and weakness. I don’t think I will be taking any more. I will be contacting my doctor for something else. I would not recommend. I had a UTI before and had a different medicine that did not give barely any side effects except diarrhea and a little nausea if you didn’t eat."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Honestly, I was pretty scared taking this medicine after reading these reviews, but I took it and did not have one problem whatsoever, also, it cleared my UTI right up! Started off taking Bactrim and had the WORST side effects: headache, dizziness, my body tingled, super sick, so they switched me to Macrobid for 5 days and had no problems. I ate with a healthy meal every time I took it and drank lots of water throughout the day. Everyone is different, so I guess I found the one that works best for me!"

• Mis...
• June 21, 2019

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."

• Cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a very painful UTI. I had taken it once before for the same reason but couldn’t remember how it made me feel. I was prescribed it twice a day for 7 days. This time it took a few days to begin working, and I was thankful to have also been given an analgesic to help with the pain since this didn’t resolve that. It made me feel incredibly bloated, tired, dizzy, and gave me awful stomach cramping and diarrhea. Somehow, all of this was still better than the UTI, though, and I am now 2 days after finishing the round of medication and feeling better. Overall, it seems to have its side effects, but if you’re able to tolerate them, it should be beneficial for infections."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible side effects! Oh my goodness. Just 2 days on this and I had to give it up. I had to hold onto the walls when walking, I was so dizzy. I also felt like I was going to pass out and vomit at the same time, and felt hot like I had a fever. Never again. The doctor then put me on cephalexin (Keflex brand), and no side effects except a little tiredness. P.S. D-mannose is amazing at preventing UTIs. Better than antibiotics. I had just stopped taking it."

• rom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid the same day my UTI symptoms began. By my visit to the clinic, it was already very painful. By the second day, my UTI was slightly better, the dizziness and nausea were intense, but it didn't impede my ability to function. This continued until the fourth or fifth day when the headaches began. First, they were manageable, but after dose 10, I wasn't able to function without getting sick (by then, the UTI symptoms were almost completely gone). The side effects lasted until all the medication was taken and for a couple days after. That being said, I've always been very sensitive to side effects from medications, and everyone's body will react differently. Take with food and lots of water, and the whole ordeal will be over soon."

• Ugh...
• September 3, 2019

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."

• OVE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2018

For Bladder Infection "This is the most awful antibiotic I have ever used. I took it for 3 days and could not handle it anymore, it made me dizzy, lethargic, tired, very spaced out, emotional, and caused bad anxiety. Never again."