Nitrofurantoin and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I have been prescribed this twice. The first time, I felt so unwell - chest pains, anxiety, nauseous, really dizzy, lethargic, unable to keep my eyes open, no appetite. I stopped taking it as I felt so unwell. I then got another infection and had these left over. Being a weekend, I just took them - I was fine other than chest pain and anxiety symptoms. I’ve just been prescribed them again, and after 3 pills, I’m not taking any more. Chest pain (aching and stabbing pains), feeling like I can’t breathe properly, dizzy, spaced out, nauseous, fatigued, bloated, and just ‘not with it’. Last night, I couldn’t even talk as I didn’t have the energy. I asked my husband to bring me to bed and hold me while I fell asleep as I was worried I was going to die and I needed him to call an ambulance. This antibiotic is just so awful, never again will I accept a script for this!"

• Hil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Scary experience. I started to get very ill a few hours after starting the medication, nausea, headache, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Two days later, a GP told me I may have the flu. I went home, went to bed. So weak, low fever, chills, could not get warm, still vomiting, horrendous headache. A few days feeling the same, I noticed a rash on my body. Went to the emergency department by ambulance. The antibiotic had caused acute liver failure. I had been on day five of a seven-day course. Lucky enough, the doctor in the hospital put the connection together, and the medication was stopped. It took a few months to recover from the fatigue, especially, but I'm lucky to be alive also. Another few days at home alone, I would probably have passed out. I was delirious most days, so they were blurry and confusing. No more Macrodantin for me. Even have an emergency bracelet if I need to travel outside Ireland."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Earlier today, I got this for a UTI, and I have not stopped throwing up for over 12 hours. I'm fatigued, starving, sweaty, my head is pounding, and I'm miserable. I would never wish this on my worst enemy. DON'T TAKE THIS."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have never been prescribed a worse drug in my life. After taking nitrofurantoin, my entire body hurts, can't walk, low energy, already lost appetite, and this great Dr. prescribes me this junk. DO NOT EVER TAKE THIS DRUG. I am on day 7, and I can NOT pee. Completely ticked."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2025

For Urinary Tract Infection "Yes, like the others, I am a chronic review reader when it comes to antibiotics and other medications that may affect my very delicate digestive ecosystem. I was very nervous to take this antibiotic because I have GERD and am easily nauseated; however, I had little to no side effects at all. I'm on my last dose today (5 days 2x), and the only side effects I'd note are mild nausea the first day and fatigue. Just eat good meals and drink water. I took probiotics 2 hours before my antibiotics as well, and it was helpful. Please, please don’t let bad reviews scare you from taking medication that’s gonna help you. Like another reviewer said, it sounds like a lot of these people had allergic reactions to this antibiotic. Your doctor knows best, and it’s important to treat your infection so it doesn’t make you more ill!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "This medication is terrible. I was prescribed this med for a UTI. I had urinary discomfort after having sex but decided to just keep an eye on it, take vitamin C and cranberry pills, and drank a lot of water to see if I felt better. A week later, after having sex, I woke up peeing blood. I immediately went to urgent care, where they prescribed meds for 7 days twice a day. Even though it got rid of my UTI, I was experiencing really bad anxiety, racing thoughts, and I just overall felt unsteady 3-4 days while on it. Which I never experienced before taking this med. But I continued to take the med because my UTI was feeling better. It’s been four days since I finished the medication, and I am still experiencing dizziness, I feel dazed all the time, extremely fatigued, blurred vision, I just feel zoned out. I’m hoping that this med did not cause any permanent damage, I’m hoping that within a few days I will feel back to myself. I do not recommend this med at all."

• Wee...
• July 27, 2016

Nitrofurantoin 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."

• MBE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed a 3-day dose of Macrobid to clear up a UTI. The only negative side effect I found was extreme fatigue-to the point where I was nearly falling asleep at work. It also turns your pee bright yellow/green, almost neon. I was hesitant because there were so many negative reviews, but this worked fine for me. I found that the symptoms of my UTI cleared up shortly after taking the first pill."

• Tya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took Nitrofurantoin for 2 days and had to stop. The dosage was meant to be for a week. I developed a fever, tight sore throat, dry cough, difficulty swallowing, extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness. I also had neck pain, my skin felt sore when touched. These symptoms are continuing 5 days after I stopped taking the medication. Never again!"

• Ixi...
• February 13, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I woke up a week or more ago and found myself having to pee frequently. I thought, 'Oh, that's weird.' Then it began to smell funky, and I decided to go get a urinalysis done. It came back negative, but the doctor gave me some Bactrim anyway. Halfway through my treatment with Bactrim, I had an allergic reaction and called it in. They gave me Macrobid instead, and gosh, is it expensive. I took it for a few days for a total of 5 days on antibiotics, and my symptoms were gone, but something new was happening. I always felt fatigued and nauseated, especially when I woke up, and when I tried to eat, I felt like my appetite had left me completely. My stools had turned to diarrhea, and my stomach always felt uneasy. The doc took me off them."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "After taking 2 doses, I got so sick. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue, and the worst brain fog in my life. I had to stop, but my doctor then said the next best thing is Cipro. Oh my goodness! Cipro is the worst. Ruptured tendons? I think no! So, it was a fight to get her to prescribe Bactrim! Sad to say doctors listen to the drug salespeople rather than reading this review space!"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Had either a urinary infection or intestinal. New to Macrobid, in one day after taking the medicine, I ran a 104.7 fever, was nauseous, and hurt all over. Ran a fever off and on till I got off the med and started Cipro. Began noticing fatigue, brain fog, and constant headaches. Ten weeks later, I've been diagnosed with hypoxemia and am starting nighttime oxygen therapy. Already have RA, Sjögren's, and sarcoidosis, didn't need this drug complicating my life. Macrobid should be taken off the market!!!"

• Han...
• July 3, 2021

Nitrofurantoin 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."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "This drug, nitrofurantoin, for a UTI robbed me of a week of my life. I was prescribed a 7-day course (2x a day) and have had such extreme fatigue, I have needed to sleep 12 hours a day and still feel tired. I have had past issues with anemia and thought it must have returned, but this was far more severe and more swift than any past experience with anemia. I found this site and read that others have also slept 10+ hours and still feel exhausted and realized this must be the culprit. Never, ever, ever again. Can barely keep my eyes open or finish my thoughts."

• JJ3...
• June 2, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I gave this medication a 10 for effectiveness because my UTI symptoms subsided completely after the second dose. I'm still taking this medication and have two and a half days left. Since starting my doses, I have experienced nausea, extreme fatigue and muscle weakness, shortness of breath, sensitivity to heat, and a loss of appetite. I can't wait till it's over. After reading all the reviews, it seems this medication makes everyone sick. It did seem to clear up my UTI, though, which was worse than these symptoms, but not by much."

• Mcr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Stay away! How this drug is still manufactured, I do not know. I took this and thought I was getting more sick or having liver failure! Skin sensitivity, nausea, extreme fatigue, heart palpitations. I immediately stopped taking it. Antibiotics should, for the most part, make you feel better, not like you're on chemotherapy."

• Mii...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Worst medication ever. Was prescribed 100 mg x 2 a day for 7 days. I’m on my 6th day. Beginning of the week I was feeling extremely fatigued. Yesterday I took the pill in the AM and drank a smoothie due to the fact that I had no appetite, finished half the smoothie as it felt like a rock in my stomach with extreme stomach pains. Went home and slept for 3 hours. Went for dinner and force-fed myself. This morning (6th day) I took it and having extreme fatigue, joints, and body hurting so much I can’t even get out of bed! Literally, everything hurts, but luckily I’m too tired to be moving around. Also having bad chills despite the weather being warm."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a mild UTI with both mild pain on urination and frequent urination. I was prescribed a 7-day course of the prolonged-release capsules of MacroBID Nitrofurantoin. I did not have any sickness nor the fatigue others have described, and it seemed to clear up the infection 2-3 days after starting the course as the pain on urination stopped. However, I found that after day 3, the frequency of urination increased again and I had more prolonged general discomfort, only being relieved on urination (no pain on urination, however). This turned out to be the Nitrofurantoin causing localized irritation, and the discomfort faded and disappeared within days of the course finishing. Having said that, I do have sensitive skin in that region and have to avoid scented soaps, etc. I am mentioning this in case there are others reacting the same and don’t realize it may now be the treatment and not the UTI causing the symptoms. I am now 3 weeks on from completing the course with no relapse."

• Not...
• February 25, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed 100 mg every 12 hours with food. I took it as directed. On the third day, I read horror stories on here and was really nervous to continue taking it. However, I did. It cleared up my UTI quickly, within 24 hrs. I experienced nausea, sore throat, coughing, fatigue, but nothing extreme like some people on here. I stopped taking it on day 4/5 because I am a student, and this week I had 3 exams and really could not afford to be sick. It made me feel crappy, but nothing too crazy, and it did its job in a timely manner. I wanted to share my story so people know it at least works sometimes."

• Mbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I went to urgent care to get medication for UTI, and the doctor prescribed Macrobid. I took the first pill around lunch and felt totally fine, and took the second after dinner. I woke up the next morning and had terrible nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. I thought I ate something strange the night before and continued to take my medicine twice a day. The next morning, same deal: fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and this time, vomiting. It cleared up around the afternoon. My doctor recommends taking a probiotic a few hours before or after taking an antibiotic to lessen the effects of diarrhea and nausea. MAKE SURE you eat and drink plenty of water. It has helped, however, I switched to another antibiotic. If you have a sensitive gut like mine, I would try another antibiotic!"

• owi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was told to take nitrofurantoin for 7 days for a UTI. My most severe side effects occurred in the beginning but subsided as I took more medication. Pill 1 - Fatigue and severe headache after napping and slight nausea, but no more urgency. Pill 2 - Moderate headache, fatigue, diarrhea; almost no pain (to me, it felt like contractions in the bladder) towards the end of peeing. Pill 3 - Fatigue. Pill 4 - No symptoms. Pill 5 - No symptoms; back to solid bowel. Pill 6 and on - No symptoms. By the last pill, I wasn't sure if the infection had entirely gone since my bladder was still 'sore.' I used to be able to hold my pee for hours (I know I shouldn't), but I couldn't hold anything in for about 2 weeks after finishing my meds. I'd advise anyone taking this to just be wary of the possibility of headaches/malaise and try to push through it by sleeping it off to see if it goes away. Also, you have to take it with a whole meal, not just a light snack. I found that eating more seemed to lessen the side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I have taken this medication before for UTI, with no symptoms. This time around, I did notice some fatigue and nausea, as well as my urine being very dark in color. The benefit outweighs the side effects, after the second pill, I could finally pee without biting down on a towel! I would take this medication again."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible side effects. I had to go to urgent care. I asked for Cipro, usually, 5 will do. My new doctor was out of town, I will never go back. I am so weak with nausea, cramps, vomiting, headache, coughing, and sinus infection with fatigue so bad."

• Fri...
• October 15, 2015

For Bladder Infection "Will never put another pill in my mouth. Painful muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, fever, chills, night sweats, tired, the list goes on. I have been off it for 3 days and the muscle aches and fatigue are still here. Never, never again."

• Lou...
• November 17, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I suffer from recurrent UTIs. This is by far the worst one. I have had 3 weeks of antibiotics and still have the infection. I hate nitrofurantoin. It makes me feel sick, tired, lack of energy, and at the moment, I have loss of appetite, a headache, and loose and frequent bowel movements. I personally feel I can develop a tolerance for the antibiotics. Even though my symptoms go away for a few days, I don't feel any better within myself as the antibiotics pose more problems."