Macrobid and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Bladder Infection "I am halfway through my 5-day script, and I have had minimal side effects. My UTI symptoms are improving, so I have less discomfort when I pee. I have noticed a little dizziness at times, or a bit of nausea, but nothing that stays with me."

• Tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I had a bladder infection for over a month, which in turn made its way to my kidneys. I was given antibiotics when I was in the hospital, I seemed to do okay on those. When I was released, they gave me Macrobid to clear up the remaining infection. The first few days on it were okay (probably because I was sick from the infection, so I didn’t know the difference), but towards the end, I started to experience terrible side effects. Keep in mind, I took this hydrated and after eating every time. Around the 6th night, I had nausea, stomach cramps, headache, and uncontrollable shaking so bad that I could barely get out of bed. BUT don’t let the side effects stop you from taking it. If you do take this medicine, I have found one thing that makes the side effects better: eat a muffin or some bread and drink A LOT of water with it. When I ate a muffin and took Macrobid right after, my side effects weren’t as bad."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "This antibiotic is a godsend! I am allergic to penicillins and sulfas. At first, I tried Cipro, it didn't work. I had kidney stones for 8 months, I finally got my second lithotripsy in June for an 8x9mm stone, and then my kidney got infected. This is my fourth day on Macrobid, and I have had no serious side effects except 1 bout of diarrhea on day 1, which was welcomed compared to the nausea and pain from the infection. Macrobid actually got rid of my nausea!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2016

For Bladder Infection "Symptoms: severe abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, achy pain in back, fatigue, chills, sweating, headache, cough. I just finished my last dose of Macrobid, and I believe it cleared up my UTI, but these side effects are not worth it. The abdominal pain I have been having is so bad that it has woken me up from my sleep three nights in a row. I have the chills, and because of the abdominal pain, it is hard to eat. I also have terrible headaches that worsen with certain movements or lights. This pill is awful, and I wish I would've known about these symptoms before starting."

• Ste...
• May 22, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I took this twice a day for 5 days. Cleared my infection but made me tired, hot, and had shortness of breath the whole time. Had nausea the first two days, but that went away. Allergic to sulfa and several other drugs, so this was prescribed. While it worked, I don't think I would ask for this again."

• Njc...
• June 30, 2014

For Bladder Infection "Took this med after the pharmacist said to take it with a small snack, I agree with those who say a full meal. I also woke up this morning and threw up, not sure what that was. Now I am sleepy and missed a day of work. Antibiotics have not had this effect on me, just hope it gets better. I am also nauseated but trying not to think about it, or I may be visiting the throne."

• She...
• February 24, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've taken Macrobid for 15 years for recurrent UTIs. I get UTIs about 4-6 times a year (ugh), so I've taken it a ton of times. Macrobid gets rid of my infections every single time without fail. The only side effect I have ever noticed, which is pretty annoying, is nausea for about 2 hours after taking each pill. Once in a blue moon I puke, but not usually. Eating and drinking with the pill lessens the nausea but doesn't totally prevent it. So, it does its job really well and eliminates my infections, but I do cringe when I have to take it because it sucks to endure the nausea."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Tan...
• August 24, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I used to get bladder infections all the time, but this time was by far the worst I've ever experienced. I managed to get myself into a walk-in, and they prescribed me Macrobid. The first pill I took, along with cranberry juice, made me feel 80% better. By the third day taking Macrobid, I felt 100% better. Definitely take it with a meal, though, I took it with something small because I was in a rush, and I felt very weak and nauseous."

• Jai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Macrobid definitely works. I had a terrible bladder infection that I noticed began to clear up within a few days of taking this antibiotic. In my personal experience, though, I had terrible side effects: nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and hot and cold sweats. Although the week felt so hard to get through, please don’t be scared to try the medication. If you’re worried about side effects, make sure you are staying very hydrated and taking it with food. I would recommend having some Gravol ready as well, just in case. Good luck."

• LPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I cannot overstate how much I despise this medication. It may be effective in getting rid of bladder infections, but I never got that far. I used this medication twice (I gave it a second go, thinking my previous experience might've been an anomaly). Wrong. Within 2 days, each time, I had severe flu-like symptoms. They included: chills, mild fever, muscle aches all over, sharp pains in my stomach, severe nausea, vomiting, pounding headache, and extreme fatigue. I was told to take with a meal and drink lots of water. I felt like I was drinking 2 gallons a day...until I couldn't drink or eat anything without throwing it up. I stopped taking it the second time, after 3 pills, and it took 2 full days (and lots of Tylenol) for my symptoms to subside."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2016

For Bladder Infection "Lower back pain gone after 1st day of this medicine. Nausea is horrible - taking Phenergan to offset nausea. I'm lethargic and resting. This stuff must be strong - but I'd take bed rest and nausea over a knife in my back anyway! I'm on 2X daily with food for 5 days. I'm on day 3."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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!"

• Ren...
• January 5, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Mild UTI, so given Macrobid twice a day for 5 days. Followed instructions to the letter. 1st 2, very slight queasiness for an hour or so. Also felt odd-kind of out of it/drowsy, but only for a few hours. Day 3 adjusted-both stomach and brain were fine. Then came the pain-pelvic, groin, and abdominal-moving around. Sharp stabs and dull throbbing waves. Then in my neck/under jaw and by ears (like stinging gland pain-if you’ve ever had the mumps, you’ll know what I mean). I finished meds and let 2 days go, hoping I’d feel better, but no-I went back to Dr and my urine tested clear. Kidney test-no pain resulting. No fever. Abdomen fine on palpating-yet all these migrating (moving) pains keep at me. I “feel” fine except for the widespread pain. I never know where it’s going to stab next. I don't know if it's something the antibiotic did, but this is very coincidental. I was in good health until this. Be careful with this medication!"

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Going through 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."

• 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.:("

• 1Gr...
• January 9, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I took Macrobid for two and a half days and felt sick. Plus, I'm scared of anything that poses a risk of side effects that are a mile and a half long. Macrobid made me so sick that I ended up at the ER with swollen lymph nodes, a stiff neck, nausea, a migraine that caused eye pain, vomiting, and chills. I felt poisoned. My sister wanted to stay with us because she was so worried about me. I was sick for three days in bed. Never, ever again. I'm only seeing naturopathic doctors and a Chinese medicine doctor unless it is life or death."

• emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was terrified of taking Macrobid after reading these horrible reviews. Overall, I experience minor side effects while on the antibiotic. The first two times I took the pill, it made my face flushed, but that was all. I also experienced slight nausea throughout the duration of the antibiotic. Please do not let all of the bad reviews scare you about the side effects of this antibiotic because they are very minimal in most cases (people who have a positive experience rarely write reviews). However, I gave this drug a median rating because it did not cure my UTI. I had to go back to the minute clinic today and now am on ciprofloxacin."

• Anonymous
• August 14, 2010

For Bladder Infection "Took for a bladder infection. Felt better after a day or so, but got extremely nauseated, even taking it with a snack. It also makes me so tired, all I want to do is sleep. I have stopped taking it, and it feels like I am getting the same symptoms back. I am allergic to sulfa drugs, and this is what the doctor gave me."