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Macrobid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Macrobid has an average rating of 4.5 out of 10 from a total of 827 reviews on Drugs.com. 29% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 51% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Macrobid

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Tif...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've never done a review but wanted to on it because of so many bad reviews. The Macrobid is working great, no side effects that I’ve noticed from the meds. But before starting the meds, I did have a severe UTI with severe pain in my stomach and back, as well as nausea, dizziness, cramps, muscle weakness, headache, and flu-like symptoms all from the UTI infection. I felt like death. Which has all subsided since taking this medicine. I’ve read a lot of bad reviews but I think everyone fails to realize that UTI and bladder infections cause a lot of symptoms plus everyone reacts differently. I would take this again!"

9 / 10
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44 Report
  • Wha...
  • July 30, 2014

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a bladder infection on a Friday. I took the first dose that evening after dinner. I woke up Saturday morning feeling fine, took another dose, and it went downhill from there. We went out for breakfast, and the fun began: nausea, chills, etc. I had to go home and get in bed for the remainder of the day. I had a fever of 101.3. I had a terrible headache, joint pain, etc. On Sunday, I was so freaked out that my husband took me to an urgent care clinic. I was told that it wasn't the Macrobid, but that my bladder infection had become systemic. Baloney. I would wake up and feel fine, take the medication with milk, and whammo! Down for the count. I am now on day five and finally went to work today. I totally felt hungover."

6 / 10
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67 Report
  • Ash...
  • November 22, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Okay, I never ever post on review boards, but with all these high-level ratings for this drug, I just had to speak out. This drug is poison, literal poison. I'm only on my second dosage, and it feels like my body is shutting down. Right this moment, I am vomiting every ten minutes, my head hurts constantly, and my body is riddled with chills and shakes. I have followed the doctor's directions to the tee, taking it with food and all of that, and it still has made me feel miserable. Yes, it has healed my UTI almost instantly, but now the rest of my body is suffering and breaking down because of it. Please seek other options before taking this medication. Please, I beg you, this is a very strong, dangerous drug."

1 / 10
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57 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • sol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 25, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medication for 2 days and I'm calling the doctor this morning. I will not be taking the next pill. I feel worse than before, as if I have the flu. I cannot sleep, and I'm sweating hot and cold. I have headaches and feel nauseous even after taking the pill with food. This isn't for me at all."

2 / 10
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  • Et_...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have a very, very hard time with medicine. Even mild medications have made me extremely sick. I can't tolerate Cipro or Bactrim, and easily get UTIs. I was terrified this time when they gave me Macrobid because I'd never had it. Even Z-Pak made me very sick. And then I read these reviews and just cried at the thought of taking it. I went out and bought crackers and Sprite, etc., to prepare for what's been described here. Then I took it and waited... and waited... and waited. Nothing horrible ever happened. It's important to remember that everyone has a different experience. Don't even read these. My main advice with this med is to eat, eat, eat. If anything happens you feel is weird, just ask your doctor. But mostly, relax and trust your doctor."

10 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 28, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I haven't experienced any of the side effects others have mentioned earlier. After just one dose of Macrobid, within hours, all of my noticeable symptoms were virtually gone. It may have helped that I got my prescription at the first sign of a UTI, before the pain became terrible. Zero side effects during treatment."

10 / 10
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  • Jam...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 29, 2019

For Prevention of Bladder infection "I don’t like that the people who didn’t have a bad reaction are acting like their experience negates all the others. Everybody is different, and everybody reacts differently. The good: in the last several weeks, I’ve been hospitalized with kidney infections and sepsis twice. I was on home IV antibiotics for four weeks. Nothing worked. Finally, bacteria were identified, and I was put on a black box antibiotic for 11 days. Then switched to Macrobid as a precaution for the next four months while we narrow down what is wrong. This is doing its job well. It has also caused a pain I feel in my head, sinuses, ears, neck, and teeth that is extreme and life-altering. You can’t live a normal life with this type of pain. It’s a nightmare. The pain is intolerable. If you haven’t experienced this, be grateful, not angry at those of us suffering."

5 / 10
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  • Lit...
  • March 10, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’ve had a bad reaction twice to the drug, it’s now on my records not to be given it. Nonstop being sick, a really painful headache that does not respond to any pain relief. I ended up in A&E the first time, then was given it again and had flu-like symptoms, and the worst bit by far again the excruciating headache. Today I feel a little better, my eyesight has gone funny, like my glasses are not working properly, and it was fine prior to taking the drug. Alarmingly, these are on the side effect list!!"

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • mer...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 24, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken this medication twice. I started feeling unwell after 4 days the first time around. The second time, I thought I had the flu as well as a urinary tract infection. The last pill of the day was taken at supper time. By bedtime, I was feeling ill, and then by midnight I felt very ill, delirious, with nausea, chills, and a rapid heartbeat. I went to the doctor and was told to discontinue the medication."

2 / 10
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69 Report
  • niq...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 14, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is my second time on Macrobid, both times given during pregnancy. The first time it made me extremely sick, and I took it after a light snack and drank milk. I felt so bad I couldn't stomach taking the pill again. This time around, I got a urinary tract infection so bad I was having very bad pains under my ribs, so I figured the sickness from the antibiotic was better than the severe pain I was having. I started the meds four days ago and now I feel 100% better! Before every dose, I eat a COMPLETE MEAL so that my stomach is coated, and I have not had one side effect besides drowsiness, which I don't mind as much, but the pain is gone and I am back to my normal self. I am so happy the pills worked so fast and with food leave me perfectly fine."

10 / 10
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59 Report
  • Alo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 4, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I thought it was the end of me. Macrobid is one of the worst experiences I have ever had. I could hardly walk, I was short of breath, I felt confused and weak, and had bright red cheeks. I think they should be removed from sale. My friend had also had a UTI a few weeks before and told me how poorly she had felt when taking the antibiotics. I rang her to see what they were called, and yes, they were Macrobid. How can these be allowed to be prescribed to the general public? It's shocking. I only took them for one day, was frightened to take any more."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 19, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "100 mg, 2x per day, 5 days - although it treated the UTI, the side effects might have been more debilitating than the UTI itself. My side effects were chills, sweats, body aches, non-stop headache, extreme fatigue (could barely get out of bed for 3 days), nausea/dry heaves, loss of appetite (the only time I ate was to take the med so my stomach would be able to handle the meds), head/ears HOT to touch, ringing in the ears, itchy hands and feet. There were just too many side effects to make this antibiotic worth recommending when there are other drugs that can do the same thing. This med just did not agree with me, and I will never take it again or recommend it to others."

1 / 10
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  • Mar...
  • December 19, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please don’t take Macrobid! I just got out of the hospital after taking a full dose for a UTI. I started itching in my head on Friday, by Sunday morning, I had a severe rash, and my joints and muscles hurt so bad my legs gave out on me, and then I started having shortness of breath and chest pains. Went to the UTC where I got the prescription, and they had me rushed to the ER. I was having a heart attack. They gave me an epinephrine pen. I ended up staying in the hospital and did have a heart attack, but because I did not have blocked arteries, it was not a major one, but this drug caused some cells to die in my heart, and now I have to go to a cardiologist to find out what is next for me. Please, please be careful taking this drug."

1 / 10
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  • Can...
  • October 13, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "My urinary tract infection symptoms were not nearly as painful as the side effects of this medicine. It cleared up the UTI in a day, but by the second day, it was nausea, extreme fatigue, no appetite, joint and muscle pain, stomach pain, complete weakness, chills, and fever. The pharmacist said it was probably the UTI. Now it's day 5, and I'm in agony. Stopping Macrobid and calling the doctor in the morning."

3 / 10
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  • ABa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "After just a couple doses, I am extremely tired and sleepy, and having bad dreams from which I wake up agitated and anxious. Taking Macrobid for the first time now after a horrendous UTI/bladder/kidney infection treated with Cipro left me with another Cipro-resistant infection. I am allergic to penicillins, mycins, and sulfas, so antibiotic choices are limited. I am posting just to reassure others who might have similar experiences and wonder if it is the drug, which is how I myself ended up on this webpage. I am going to stick with it and hope side effects don’t get worse, and it finally rids me of this infection and accompanying severe abdomen and back pain."

8 / 10
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37 Report
  • Dee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 23, 2019

For Bladder Infection "No problems whatsoever. I'm on day 3, and most of my pain is gone. It didn't work as quickly for me as it did for others here, but I must have a bad bladder infection. Eat with the pill. Take it in a timely fashion. Remember that every symptom is not a result of the antibiotic."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2013

For Bladder Infection "I was peeing like crazy, approximately every 10 minutes. I decided to see my doctor, she prescribed Macrobid, and within a day I could already notice results! I do feel a little queasy after taking this pill, but more food always helps. This is the best thing ever! I now don't have to worry if my coworkers would notice my frequent trips to the washroom, and I don't hurt anymore."

10 / 10
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  • Gee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 9, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Worst antibiotic I've ever taken. I went to a walk-in clinic as I had back pain. They did a urine sample and said that I appear to have a low-level UTI (even though I had no other symptoms), and I was prescribed Macrobid 100 mg 2 x a day for 3 days. I noticed one day in that my skin felt a little tingly but thought I was just being weird. By the end of the second day, I got this horrible joint pain (knees, bottom, and elbows) that was so heavy and uncomfortable that I didn't take my final pill (I read about others' side effects that they experienced). One day off them and my joints seem to be a bit better, but it's like when one symptom subsides, another arises. When I stand, it's like I can feel the blood rush to my feet and my skin in my abdomen area becomes itchy! I will NEVER take this again, and I hope that these side effects go away soon. Not impressed."

1 / 10
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  • Mis...
  • November 27, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have never posted a review, but I wanted to let people know out there that you don't have to be afraid to take this if you need to. I am one of those who always Googles medicine reviews, and I scared myself half to death with the horrible reviews on this antibiotic. So worried that I almost didn't take it. Well, I'm glad I did. It took away my UTI that was going into my kidneys, and I had absolutely no side effects. Yes, everyone is different and some people will have bad effects from it, but I am very sensitive to medications, and I had no issues whatsoever. Always be sure to take it with food and just let it do its job!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 8, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "This medicine worked really well. It did take about 3 days to kick in and make me feel 100% better, though. I took it as directed and did not have any problems. I did have nausea about 8 hours after taking the pill, but I would eat something and the nausea would go away. Make sure to drink lots of fluids in order to get rid of the infection and continue to drink lots of fluids to prevent the infection! I took the medication twice daily for seven days."

9 / 10
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63 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 2, 2009

For Bladder Infection "I have been on Macrobid for a urinary tract infection for 4 days and still do not have relief. I have called my doctor, and he has now prescribed me a sulfa drug. I have used the sulfa drug in the past, and it works quickly. I am miserable on the Macrobid, exhausted, irritable, weepy, nauseous, and have a headache."

1 / 10
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72 Report
  • GCa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a UTI. I know medications affect everyone in a different way. But this antibiotic made me so sick. I had severe headaches, nausea, and weakness. I was unable to go to work. I took the entire 7-day treatment even though it was making me feel so terrible. I thought it would be worth it if it cleared up my infection. But it didn’t clear it up! I still had the same symptoms, so I had to go back to the doctor. This time I was prescribed Cephalexin. It worked and with no side effects."

1 / 10
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31 Report
  • Gir...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 31, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Read the reviews and was so scared to even take it! But I took the medication and not a single side effect! Great medication... I’m 5’5 and 135 lbs... very prone to headaches... nothing happened. Don’t let the bad reviews scare you!"

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • TSI...
  • July 12, 2013

For Bladder Infection "65 years old, never had a urinary tract infection before, (now I know what they are!) probably had it for months, related symptoms to nurse friend, she said to call the doctor, sounds like a UTI. Doctor gave Macrobid prescription, 20 hours later after the first couple of capsules, had 99% relief. Continued taking for two weeks and didn't have side effects, as far as I could determine. I won't wait months before calling the physician next time."

10 / 10
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  • Mrs...
  • March 21, 2014

For Bladder Infection "This medication cleared my urinary tract infection symptoms within 24 hours, but left me feeling super sleepy and dizzy! I guess it's a small price to pay for relief. I'm glad I have a few days off work, though, because I would not be able to work like this."

8 / 10
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56 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.