Nitrofurantoin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I have been so nauseated since taking this and have had bad diarrhea. I have headaches almost daily, and I get really tired. As far as it treating my bladder infection, I think it's going better. I still have frequency, but the pain is not as bad as it was. I have to take 2 pills a day for 10 days, and I'm on the 7th day."

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

Nitrofurantoin 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."

• Jcd...
• October 11, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "This was prescribed to me a couple of days ago by a doctor for a suspected urinary infection, as due to being pregnant I cannot take the usual antibiotic that would be prescribed. It's horrible! I wish I had never taken it and have spent the last 24 hours tired and sick with nausea, passing out, diarrhea, blurry vision, my body feels sick and poisoned. I have no idea what's in this, but it's terrible and hasn't helped at all. I am having shortness of breath, just moving around is such a struggle. Have stopped taking and will be going back to the doctor for something alternative when I can get up and actually get there safely without passing out. Will never take this again!"

• Coa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I began taking nitrofurantoin last night. I felt nausea, headache, and diarrhea. Instead of helping my pain, it seems to be getting worse. I do not know if I should contact Dr. or take it for another 24 hrs."

• Gee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "After taking two capsules, I woke up the next morning drenched in sweat, followed by severe chills and high fever (103 to 104). With each dose, my symptoms multiplied: nauseous, vomiting, severe body aches, swollen knee and hand joints, headaches, diarrhea, swollen and painful neck. After nine doses, my doctor instructed me to stop taking the medicine, and I started improving. I am left with night sweats and lack of appetite."

• Kri...
• April 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm 18 and have had on-and-off fevers from my UTI and was told I would start to feel better after a couple of days on the medication. I felt absolutely terrible, with my fevers getting worse, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, night sweats, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle pains, and an overall constant feeling of weakness. After 2 days of feeling like absolute garbage, I called the nurse who prescribed it, and she said I don't have enough dosages in me yet to start feeling better, so I kept taking it, thinking the side effects were symptoms from my UTI. A day after that, I no longer had the constant urge to pee, but I still had all the same side effects that I first had and continued to have on-and-off fevers. I could not keep my eyes open at school. If I hadn't looked up other people’s reviews, I would have kept feeling like I was crazy. I haven't been able to work out and have had to miss some school. Grades have worsened just in the time I've been on this, and I still feel like garbage. Stay away from this!"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "No one should be taking this drug. I was prescribed this for a kidney infection when I have chronic kidney disease on 4/22/21. I will be alerting the doctor who prescribed this that they nearly killed me. Was prescribed a dosage of 100 mg 4 times a day for 7 days. Took it till 4/27/21. Made me feel like I was dying with extreme chills and fever, excruciating back pain, whole body aching, diarrhea, abdominal aching, gave me asthma and filled my chest with fluid, was very weepy, extreme anxiety, difficulty walking - felt like walking through cement, dizziness, retained fluid, and dropped my kidney function significantly. Was too sick to realize it was the tablets until the last day, stopped them, and went to another doctor on 4/28/21, who wanted me to go to the hospital to go on IV, etc. Stopped taking the tablets, started a different antibiotic yesterday, 4/28/21, and have started to feel better already."

• Kpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have been on this drug before for a UTI. First time was a 3-day course, and apart from feeling tired, I was fine. Three months later, the UTI has come back, and again, the doctors have placed me on the same drug. First night, I was up all night being sick. Next day, I was very faint, had diarrhea, and was extremely nauseous. I couldn’t eat or drink enough to ‘prevent the upset stomach by eating.’ I’m now on my second day, and I am bedbound! No energy and still sick as a dog. Please speak with your doctor to see if there is another medication for you, as this is really not worth it."

• xan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Was placed on a 7-day course (1 capsule PO every 12 hours) for a suspected UTI and bladder infection. Medication seemed to work right away after day 1 with no side effects. However, started having severe flatulence and diarrhea on day 2, although I took the medication after meals. Symptoms just got worse and worse with each dose. By day 3, I experienced muscle fatigue followed by elevated heart rate, nausea, chills, and fever before bed. Woke up in the middle of the night burning from the fever and couldn't get out of bed in the morning. UTI symptoms are completely gone, however. Not looking forward to finishing the rest of the course at all (I think I will discontinue if symptoms worsen). Keep in mind that side effects vary from individual to individual. If you're few of the lucky ones, you won't experience many of these symptoms at all."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2022

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking this 2 days ago as directed. My routine with antibiotics is 2 probiotic pills 3 times a day, 2 cups of probiotic tea, and 1 cup of kefir before bed. Usually, this helps prevent what I call the “antibiotic poops.” You know the ones. I do not doubt that this medicine works great for people. It helped my UTI almost instantly, and I experienced great relief. However, I began having diarrhea that was like a UTI. Constant, painful, liquid fire. I took Imodium and Viberazi since I have IBS to try and curb the issue. Huge mistake. It made the already horrific diarrhea 10 times worse than it was. My lupus began to flare up horribly as well. Maybe coincidence? This antibiotic is probably amazing for most of the population, but if you have IBS or lupus, talk to your doctor for other recommendations because this may make the symptoms from both a lot worse. If you’re a healthy individual, you’ll probably be fine."

• FB ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "The medication nitrofurantoin gave me days of strong diarrhea and 24-hour nausea, starting on day 4 of 10. I had to take the pill with food, as prescribed, but the food sat in my stomach and felt like poison. I lost hunger/appetite, ate a bit, hoping to push the sour food in my stomach. Instead, it felt like it was backing up. Pepto Bismol offered a few minutes of relief. My first time infection. Yes, nitrofurantoin generic did work by day 9 of 10. Next time, I'll ask for Amoxicillin instead."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2017

For Bladder Infection "I have had many bladder infections in my lifetime, and twice was prescribed nitrofurantoin. Both times I took this medication, I got a fever and was really lightheaded, had bad diarrhea, and was dehydrated severely, probably because I had to force myself to eat and drink due to severe nausea on top of the diarrhea. My bladder infection symptoms didn't improve either. The first time I took this medication, I just assumed the symptoms were from my bladder infection getting worse and not improving. Either way, I ended up passing out at work and being taken by ambulance to the hospital for severe dehydration. The second time I took the medication (after I told my doctors it didn't work the first time and they convinced me to try it again), same."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2017

For Bladder Infection "I can't remember why I was prescribed this medication. I do remember it was because I needed a strong antibiotic. This medication caused me to bleed internally and have horrible diarrhea and subsequent dehydration within the first two days I took it! I took it as directed and ensured I took it twice a day with meals. I went to see my doctor the day after the adverse side effects began, and he advised me to discontinue the medication immediately and to never take it again. At the time, May 2014, there wasn't much known about this medication - nor its side effects."

• Jac...
• September 3, 2021

For Bladder Infection "Beware! This was the scariest, most horrible experience of my life! I took this drug for 5 days, 100 mg twice a day. This drug is completely ineffective, it even made my symptoms worse! I lost my appetite, felt incredibly anxious and lethargic. On the second day, just after the third dose, I couldn’t move my fingers and toes and felt as if I was having a heart attack! My stomach is now destroyed, I’ve been having severe diarrhea and nausea for days, and they won’t go away. The scariest thing for me is how I was actually feeling mentally. Believe me, this drug felt like synthetic depression. Do not take it, seek alternatives! Please."

• Mmm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "On it for 4/5 days it was prescribed. Unfortunately, one of the few with bad symptoms, which is why I stopped early. Nausea, watery diarrhea, stomach upset even days after stopping it still. Wondering if a couple of my meals weren't big enough. As well, would add a probiotic while taking it if I need to take it again. UTI cleared, thankfully, so glad as I had pain and burning. Just hoping these symptoms stop soon! Taking a probiotic now for a couple of days but still having symptoms."

• Sad...
• February 28, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took it for frequency and burning and hesitancy that I had. I couldn't even walk. But 30 minutes after taking it, all my symptoms were gone. Now today (3 days after the first dosage), I have a terrible headache, and I'm hungry. I am nauseated, but not always. I'm just thinking about those poor animals that they test this drug on. I also experienced cramps and watery diarrhea the first day after taking this drug."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "My first day of being prescribed the medicine, I thought everything would be okay. I took my first pill at 6 p.m. at night when I finally got home from work, everything seemed fine. However, at 4:30 a.m., I started getting serious abdominal pain and couldn't go to sleep. I started throwing up and had diarrhea, my body was so weak that I started crawling on the floor. This has to be the worst pain ever, and I refuse to take it again!"

• Anonymous
• March 17, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medicine for the first time last year and had no side effects. However, this time around I am feeling severe side effects. Dazed, diarrhea, light headache, extremely tired, and it's making me feel depressed! I am almost positive that if I call my Dr.'s office, they will tell me to try and stick it out and finish the 7-day regimen so it can get rid of this UTI once and for all! Scary symptoms. If you are not one who can handle side effects very well, I would stay away from this medicine!!!"

• Deb...
• August 31, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed 50 mg 4x a day Macrodantin for UTI. I had severe nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, confusion, eye pain, severe fatigue, and sleepiness. Did clear up UTI, but I am so tired and constipated 5 days after finishing meds."

• Fay...
• April 29, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have been on this for 48 hours, have nausea, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, and feel generally unwell. I still have the original symptoms. The weekend is here, so will stick it out until Monday before ringing GP. Thanks for everyone's comments."

• Wol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "SEVERE migraine. Worse migraines than I have ever had! Severe pressure in skull. Flatulence. I have Crohn's and this is worse than any diarrhea I have ever had! SEVERE nausea. So bad I have had to get a script for Zofran. Peeling and itching skin. How in the hell did this drug get approved??? I took approximately THREE PILLS!!"

• Cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I really believed I was going to die. Within hours of the first dose, I was being rushed to the ER. Horrible chest pain, so bad that I passed out. Only to wake to dizziness, nausea, and uncontrollable diarrhea. I literally vomited from dizziness every time I tried to open my eyes. I honestly believe this medication should be removed from the market. If I had managed to take another dose, I believe I would have had a major cardiac event."

• Fif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "No side effects, taking for E. coli UTI which came back after finishing a 7-day course of Suprax, which didn't work. Makes pee yellowish, like a highlighter. No thrush or diarrhea like other antibiotics. Will update at the end of treatment. I'm on day 3 and feel better, but will check back in after 7 days."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Started Macrobid 3-day course for a UTI on Tuesday morning. Fine for the first 2 days, seemed to be working, though I did notice that my urine had turned neon yellow, like Mountain Dew. Woke up at 6 am on Thursday feeling nauseated and anxious. Severe diarrhea began, closely followed by vomiting. I was shaken up and confused, I have never before suffered side effects from any other antibiotics. Stopped taking them immediately. Never touching those pills again."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I’ve never had a reaction to antibiotics except this one. I had been sick with a stomach bug, so that is why I went to the doctor to be sure it wasn't the flu, and then they said I had a UTI. I am 7 months pregnant, and the doctor prescribed for a very mild UTI. I was told to take one that evening and 2 the next day. Worst watery diarrhea ever, and that night I thought I was having a heart attack because the heart palpitations were so strong along with the worst acid reflux. I also had zero energy, granted, I know I’m pregnant, but this drug made me so lethargic, and I have a 2-year-old to look after too. Lastly, weird ringing in ears. I stopped it early. Symptoms went away, so the next day my energy came back and had slight diarrhea more solid (probably my system getting back to normal) and no more heart palpitations. I wouldn’t want to take this ever again."