Macrobid and Weakness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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 :/"

• BLR...
• October 17, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Attended emergency for statin use-related UTI. Started medication the same day and the next morning vomited. I took the next prescribed dose and 2 hours later could not take a deep breath, had a very tight, heavy chest, and I thought I was having a heart attack. By the time for my next dose, I had a headache, muscle pain which kept moving, felt sweaty and feverish. The next dose created more of the same, with increased labored breathing. I had never felt so weak or nauseated. Sleep was intermittent and weird dreams. I did not continue, called my GP and stopped immediately. I am a 60-year-old woman and this is the most horrible drug I have ever been prescribed."

• Jco...
• November 17, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Cleared up the UTI pretty quickly. But on the second day, I started to have some side effects: nausea, upper abdominal and back pain, feeling very weak and tired. Eating a larger meal with the pill seems to help a little. Not the worst medication, but not great either."

• 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."

• Amb...
• August 1, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Macrobid by my physician for UTI. On the third day of taking this medicine, my hands became numb. It was so bad that when I was driving to work, my left hand slipped off the steering wheel. Talking about scared. I thought I was going to drive off the bridge. They need to do something about this medicine. Because of the severe side effect that I received, this medication is dangerous. I'm still suffering from weakness in both hands. And it's very scary when I have to go somewhere. I never thought that I would get this bad reaction from this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "This has been the worst experience of my life with any antibiotic. I took my first pill about 8:30 p.m. last night. Two hours later, I started having chills. All throughout the night, I had the sweats and the chills, and my stomach felt a little messed up. I got up to get ready for work this morning and started having severe diarrhea. Had to call out because I couldn’t get off the toilet. It’s now almost 1 p.m., and I feel awful. Still having diarrhea, slight headache, my body feels so weak and like I was hit by a truck. I wish I never took this pill, I feel like I poisoned myself."

• H R...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is the third antibiotic in 2 weeks used for a UTI. Yes, the drug has been effective in healing the infection. However, it would not be my 1st choice. I've had muscle pain in my legs and feet, exhaustion, insomnia, grotesque nightmares, weakness, unsteadiness walking, nausea, dry mouth with a taste of metal in my mouth."

• Mzz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I was diagnosed with a bladder infection and had been given the script for Macrobid. Right after taking the first pill, I had the worst headache that NOTHING would help. I did take a 2nd pill, and that about put me down with the headache. I took Advil, Tylenol. I ended up taking a Tramadol, which helped a little. I felt very weak, out of sorts, nausea, NO appetite, gassy stomach, and my neck hurt like crazy. Overall, I felt like I had a real bad case of the flu. I also want to mention that I had extreme anxiety. I am already OCD, and this medication magnified everything. I would rather suffer from the bladder infection than go through this again. I thought Bactrim was bad. The ONLY thing Macrobid helped with was my low-grade fever."

• Wee...
• July 27, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "By the end of day one (2 doses), I felt very tired. Day two, I woke up weak, fatigued, achy, but was advised to stay on Macrobid as the UTI symptoms had improved. As the day wore on (3 doses), I became increasingly tired, had no energy, a headache, a sensation of heart racing, and nausea. Another call to my provider, and they suggested I switch to Cipro. Before I could do that, an episode of nausea sent me to the bathroom. I passed out, hit my head, and ended up hospitalized. I would be very afraid of this medication, considering the other options."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I woke up feeling a nasty burning sensation, so I went to the walk-in clinic today to be prescribed Macrobid. I must say, in the first hour after taking it, my extreme pain and irritation were gone, but as time went by, I started to feel like I was going through chemotherapy. Only one pill, and I feel extreme side effects. I wear corrective lenses, and my vision is getting all messed up. My body is super weak, my heart beats very fast, my stomach is in knots, my abdomen is cramping up like nobody's business. I have a headache. Never ever taking this again. I would not recommend this antibiotic to anyone. Yes, everyone is different, therefore, you will react differently to antibiotics, but this one is absolute agony."

• Han...
• July 3, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is by far the worst medication I have taken, and it's ruined my birthday weekend. I started feeling very fatigued with a stomach ache on day 1, but I didn’t think too much of it as I was also on my period, so symptoms didn’t feel too out of the ordinary. By day 2, I had lost my appetite and became so nauseous and dizzy I couldn’t get up. Day 3, I was feeling a little better until a couple of hours after my morning pill when I got a twisting hunger type of pain in the top of my stomach, the kind I’d imagine you’d have after not eating all week. It was excruciating, and it was only after I ate that I realized it was no hunger pain. This made me very nauseous and weak for the whole day. Now I am day two off the course, it’s my birthday, and I have a new addition of chest pain and headache on top of the other symptoms. I’m considering going to the ER, that is how awful this medication has made me feel. The worst part is my UTI symptoms came back on day three after ceasing on day 1."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I have been on Macrobid many times before, and each time I use it, the side effects get worse: weakness, lightheaded, faint, diarrhea, nausea... the list goes on. It feels like I have a fever. Please try to not use this medication. I am going to my doctor tomorrow to see if they can give me something else. This medication is not very effective."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’m 62, postmenopausal, and have suffered with recurrent UTIs for over 16 months. After getting recent in-depth DNA testing from MicrogenDX, which showed E. coli, E. faecalis, and Klebsiella, the only 2 antibiotics that treated all 3 bacteria were Macrobid and Fosfomycin. My PCP decided to try Macrobid and prescribed 3 weeks of it at 2 per day. After only 4 capsules, I was far sicker than I’d been with the UTI. Drug sensitivity runs in my family on the women’s side, but occasionally there are drugs we can tolerate. This wasn’t one of them. I felt as if I’d been poisoned - severe nausea, chills, diarrhea, weakness to the point of being unable to walk, racing heart, and what can only be described as not even being aware of my surroundings. As soon as I discontinued the Macrobid, the side effects began to slowly dissipate. Now all I have left to try is Fosfomycin, and I’m hoping against hope that I’ll be able to tolerate it."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I normally get cephalexin as a UTI med. This one time, my doctor decided to try Macrobid, and it was a horrible experience. I had terrible upper stomach pain, weakness, shortness of breath, and anxiety. I immediately took two probiotic pills on day two, which helped my stomach pain. Day three, I was still very weak with mild stomach pain and anxiety. I also still had frequent urination. I called my doctor and had them order cephalexin. Macrobid is horrible, and my doctor said half the people come back because it does not work. Never again will I take it!"

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "OMG, guys, and can’t even talk about what my body is going through right now. I feel like I have morning sickness with food poisoning and the flu all in one! What the heck is going on? I took it for my UTI, and the first day was fine! The second day, that night, I started to get really ill. My heart was pounding, my feet and legs felt like pins and needles, tingling all over my body! I was sweating after that night. The next morning, I was so nauseous and dizzy with diarrhea, and I was so weak I couldn’t even walk, I was completely incompetent whatsoever around me! I started to feel anxious and nervous, shaking, and was about to drive myself to the ER. I stopped taking it on my fourth day, and I am still feeling like garbage after 12 hours later! The symptoms are still there, not feeling any better! Had to call out for work the next two days!! I always read that one of the side effects can cause nerve damage permanently. Never again!"

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Macrobid was by far my worst experience with a medicine. It was prescribed for my UTI. But after taking 2 pills only, I started feeling worse than before. My UTI symptoms were improving (which was great), but I felt sick. Extremely nauseated (I couldn't even drink water); had diarrhea episodes, it also lowered my blood pressure, so I felt weak and tired. I'll never take this thing again. I felt like I had been poisoned."

• Cur...
• October 3, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm allergic to sulfa and penicillin, so my doc prescribed Macrobid. The first time I took this medicine, I felt fine besides some nasty nausea. I didn't take the last 3 pills because of it, but my UTI went away almost immediately. This time, I feel horrible. I felt good after the first 2-3 doses, but now after I take it (3rd day), I am weak, I feel like it's hard to breathe, and my stomach burns/hurts so bad I can't stand it. It also makes me very tired and out of it/woozy. The burning during urination has gone away, but I feel worse than what I did with the UTI. I hate to stop it early, but I fear I may end up in the hospital if I don't. It's not a bad med, just hit or miss side effects. I say try it out though. It's worth that much at least."

• Kal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I got prescribed Macrobid for a UTI I have, and it’s a great medication, but some symptoms do come up, like headache and weakness. But other than that, it’s clearing everything up. It’s not a dangerous medication, and it’s important that you stay hydrated and eat before every dose you take."

• dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I had taken this drug once before and seemed okay, but this time I had a bad reaction. My first pill was okay, no problem, but the second pill I thought I might have to call for help. I couldn't move off the couch for 8 hours as I was weak, shivering, joint pain, bad headache, and a few other things. Really scared me, and I will ask for something else next time."

• Bir...
• May 26, 2021

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid 100 mg dose every 12 hours for 7 days. I have never been sensitive to antibiotics and can take (amoxicillin, Cipro, penicillin, Z-Pak are fine). But this antibiotic made me miserable. The morning after my first dose, I had a terrible headache that lasted the whole time I was on the drug. I had to take Motrin for the headaches. I was so nauseous I threw up several times, even when I took food with the Macrobid. By the third day, I was so weak I could barely get out of bed. The nausea was severe, I could not eat. I literally forced a piece of bread down when I took the pill. I was sleepy and confused and not even alert enough to do my work. I finally called on the 5th day to ask my doctor to prescribe me something for the horrible nausea, and he told me to stop taking the Macrobid. The only plus of this medicine was that it took my infection away, but I'd never take it again. I'm 5'3" and 125 pounds."

• 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."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am 70. I tried natural treatments for a UTI, but I still had some discomfort and tested positive with Azo test strips. I have had two days of Macrobid, and the headache, nausea, weakness, etc. is making me feel awful. So, here I lie in bed at 4 a.m., unable to sleep. Not sure if I can hold out to see if this med clears the UTI."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible medication! After only two doses, I had severe joint pain in my hips and knees; felt extremely weak, and flu-like symptoms came on strong. I immediately called to be changed to something else. It may help with UTIs, if you can suffer through, but I was not willing to. I can’t imagine how horrible I would have felt had I continued the recommended 7-day treatment. I will never take this medication again."

• JLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Macrobid, a 7-day course for a UTI. Was fine at first, but by day 5, started to experience nausea and gas. Continued meds, but after day 6, I was so sick I had to stop. Weakness, joint pain, uncontrollable shivering, and fever. Shortness of breath. Thought it was the flu. Didn't take the med for a day, started feeling better. Resumed the med and again so sick! Have taken many different antibiotics and NEVER had any reactions. Won't take this again!"