Macrobid and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ear...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I also was extremely sick taking this medication. Ironically, it happened twice - the first time I was able to stomach the whole dose, but recently I had to stop after the second pill and switch to Bactrim, and then had zero issues. Macrobid left me fatigued, headaches, dizzy, aches, pounding heart, and I even threw up. Felt like the start of the flu, but worse! Will never take again."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "Would recommend against using this drug, as it's a roll of the dice whether the side effects will be serious or not. I began taking it for a UTI, and after the second dose, started running a high fever of 102-104 degrees F, having chills, body aches, and fatigue. None of these symptoms were present until I started taking it. After doing some looking and seeing that those were all possible side effects, I stopped taking it and changed over to amoxicillin. I only took four doses, but it was brutal. The only silver lining, if there was one, is that 400 mg of Advil was all that was required to bring the fever down and take care of the body aches and chills."

• Fru...
• July 12, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I wouldn't normally feel compelled to write a review on a drug, but my experience with Macrobid was so horrible that I would like to discourage other people from taking it if they have another option. I was given seven days of Macrobid to try to clear up a bladder infection. I felt incredibly nauseous at first and thought it was in relation to the bladder infection. By day two or three, I threw up, again, I thought I wasn't doing something right (maybe I hadn't been drinking enough water). So then I started taking the medication with more fluids. My bladder infection seemed to go away, but I was experiencing so many other symptoms (nausea, my body felt incredibly fatigued, migraine-like headaches) that felt worse than the bladder infection itself. I thought something was wrong, and after reading other reviews, I realized what the problem was. After 6.5 days of being on the medication, my bladder infection has returned. Macrobid was a complete waste of time, energy, and physical health."

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed for a very painful UTI. After 3 days, I felt no relief. The 4th day, I began to feel better but very fatigued. The 5th day, I developed a rash on my scalp. I thought it was shingles. I woke up the 6th day with extreme itching and discomfort. The rash had spread to my shoulders and eventually down my chest and to my waistline. I went to my doctor who took me off Macrobid, switched me to Cipro for another round of antibiotics, and prescribed a shampoo and topical ointment for the rash. I wish I had changed antibiotics that 4th day. This is miserable, red itchy welts everywhere, and low-grade fever."

• EV2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "After my UTI reoccurred, my doctor prescribed me Macrobid. I took the new antibiotics about 9 days after completing the Cipro antibiotics, and I felt better after the 3rd day of using the pills. I did have neon urine, which was typical. There was a drastic change in my sleeping pattern, all I wanted to do was sleep. Fatigue was a side effect. I woke up to a headache/unsettled stomach (ate a heavy meal with a pill) a few times. Now, 7 days in, my old symptoms are back up. I didn't drink as much H2O the first few days, but I've since amped the amount of water I intake. I also bought cranberry pills to hopefully help clear it up. Don't feel like throwing out more cash or another doctor's visit."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I don't usually comment on Internet threads, but I have to say, if you have been prescribed this drug, see if it works for you before being scared away. There are reviews saying to avoid at all costs and reviews claiming zero side effects. All well and good, but the only way to know which way it will work for you is to try it. I was prescribed it this week and have taken two pills so far. I won't be taking the rest. I've spent the night feeling nauseous and have woken up this morning with stomach cramps, a bad headache, weak arms, hot flushes, and fatigue. I feel weepy and sick, and I just want to go back to bed...which is kind of impossible because I have an 18-month-old. Incidentally, her night was disturbed (we're still breastfeeding), and I can only assume it's something to do with the antibiotic because the crying and screaming was very out of character for her. I'd say try the drug, and if you get side effects, jack it in and ask for something else. I won't take this again."

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "First dose: weakness, fatigue, mild nausea, headache. Second dose: weakness, fatigue, fever, moderate nausea, chills. Third dose: EXTREME nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, chills and hot flashes, chest pain, diarrhea, literally felt like I was going to die! Finally realized it was the medicine after the third dose. More intense side effects immediately stopped when I didn’t take the next dose, but it took me three days to recover from the loss of fluids and feeling weak. My doctor switched me to a different med and felt literally no side effects. Will never be taking this ever again no matter how many UTIs I get in the future."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "So here’s my experience: I, apparently, had a UTI that I had no idea about for months and didn’t figure it out until my doctor had me do routine labs. I was first given cipro but was terrified of the possibility of tendon rupture (I’m a nurse who’s on her feet all day, so I need my tendons), so I talked it over with my doc and she gave me Macrobid as I’m allergic to virtually everything else. I started it on Tuesday night and have just taken my 7th pill on Friday night. I’ve had no serious side effects, just the normal dizziness, fatigue, and a small bit of stomach upset or indigestion. I also have times of just feeling “weird.” I’m currently getting over a cold, so that could also be why I’m feeling off, but who knows. I’d much rather take my chances with this pill than sepsis from an ascending UTI."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid due to having leukocytes in my urine on a routine UA. I can’t vouch for efficiency because my culture came back normal twice, so I was told to discontinue them. However, other than crippling anxiety from reading the reviews and fatigue, I didn’t experience any side effects. I did as others said and took it after I ate dinner or breakfast and ate a muffin right before I took it."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’m currently on day 6 of 7 for a UTI. I was lucky to discover my UTI very early, so I didn’t have bad sickness from that. However, I’ve felt worse from taking this drug. My symptoms are fatigue, headache, high anxiety, tightness in chest, smelly gas, low blood sugar (so low that my hands started to shake really bad), mood swings, and insomnia."

• Riv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took 3 pills, and it made me sick. Headache, fatigue, and overall felt awful. Ended up sleeping because I felt so bad, almost like a feverish feeling. I wanted to try and see if I could take it, but it just made me sick."

• 43...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "In my experience, this is a super effective drug that needs to be taken with care. I was prescribed 100 mg twice a day, and it zapped my stubborn UTI in a day and a half. The label should say, 'Take With LOTS of Food!' I didn't eat enough during the first day and experienced the dizziness, fatigue, and nausea that so many here are reporting. I've never felt anything like that - I was basically incapacitated. After that, I made sure that my breakfast and dinner were larger than normal, and that I took the pill halfway through my meal. I didn't experience any side effects at all after making that change. Please keep this in mind as you read these horror story reviews!"

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

For Bladder Infection "Over the past 5 years, I’ve struggled with horrible UTIs. I’m resistant to a few antibiotics and have horrible side effects to Cipro. There are actually studies about how horrible Cipro is. Macrobid is the ONLY antibiotic that clears me up with no side effects and doesn’t mess up your gut bacteria, which leads to feeling down and depressed. I’m very sensitive to medicine, and my side effects were mild fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite. Nothing major at all. I’ve taken it 3 times now. I highly recommend."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "On day 3 of Macrobid, no major side effects other than fatigue and muscle aches, no nausea, etc. My pee no longer smells, but I am going to the loo more than usual since on the tablets. Much better if taken with food. I felt rough on one occasion when I hadn't eaten enough. All in all, I expected to get a few side effects, so it's not been too bad. Whether it clears the infection, I'm yet to know."

• S M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Well, I must say this antibiotic has been effective in treating my UTI. After two doses, my symptoms were gone. That being said, the side effects have been rough. I’ve experienced headaches, fatigue, slight fever, chills, and gastric distress. I actually feel worse than I did with just the UTI, but suppose it is worth not getting a full-blown kidney infection and all that goes with that. I’ve taken Tylenol and rested. Rested a lot! Luckily, it’s only a five-day course, and hopefully, I’ll get my energy back."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have a UTI, and the doctor prescribes Macrobid. I am freaking out, never took this medicine before. Reading about side effects and reviews, really scary stuff. I am on my 4th dosage. I notice on 3rd dosage (eating before medicine and drinking a bottle of water) after 15 minutes, I feel brain fog, extreme weakness and fatigue, blurry vision, heaviness in my chest that I have to lay down, headaches. I monitor my blood pressure, and it drops a little but does go away after about an hour and a half after I take the medicine, but it takes a lot of water before it does. I was told by the doctor to complete the medication. I am wondering if this is safe to complete? Should I stop? What do all of these symptoms mean? What is it doing to my insides that create these symptoms? Will this be a harmful dosage? It has helped my UTI, but I am afraid I am hypersensitive to medications. I think I am more concerned with getting sepsis if I don't complete it, so I will continue the treatment and pray through it."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2021

For Bladder Infection "I didn't have really any symptoms of bladder infection when I went to the doctor. I have IBD, so when I had a flare-up of diarrhea and stomach cramping, I didn't think it was anything really until my back also started hurting. The doctor confirmed I had a bladder infection and prescribed this drug. Right off the bat, I just want to say if you're not allergic to cipro or another antibiotic, I'd try that instead. Also, if you are migraine-prone, I wouldn't try this medication. I’ve never taken an antibiotic that gave me the numerous side effects this one gave me. For now, it’s bearable, but I don’t know exactly why or how it’s causing me to feel like I have the flu. The most noticeable symptom is pain behind my eyes and a horrible headache. Also, really bad fatigue. I don't have a fever. Bladder infection symptoms are actually mostly resolved, but I feel horribly lousy. I will probably miss work tomorrow… luckily, it was a holiday today. I will ask for a different antibiotic next time."

• MST...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible side effects in senior female patient. Rash, fever, chills, nausea, fatigue. Patient went to the ER for treatment for a severe allergic reaction."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was a little fatigued and had some loose bowel movements, but I no longer cry when I pee, so I'd call that a win!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2016

For Bladder Infection "Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, pounding heartbeat, chest pains, and ached all over - I will never take this again!"

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "I started taking this medicine two days ago. I've been nauseous since yesterday, and I've started feeling fatigued today. I don't have many choices for antibiotics, and this one works."

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Terrible experience with Macrobid. Severe fatigue and nausea, and it didn't even help the UTI. Switching to a different medication."

• Clo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "This drug nearly did me in. Vomiting and stomach cramps, general malaise. Pounding headaches and diarrhea. Idk why my doc picked this, it was brutal."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible! Constant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and fatigue! Never again will I take this medication."