Nitrofurantoin and Fever: What Users Say

• TMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DRUG. I feel like my feet are plugged into an electrical socket - the worst pain I've ever felt. Side effects mentioned tingling, but I feel like I'm being electrocuted - it's THAT PAINFUL. My vision is blurred. I spent days sweating, with fever and chills. I thought I had coronavirus and a UTI. The first pill delivered the most intense headache on earth - I needed a pain pill to counteract it. Dizziness and fatigue hit me where I slept all day after the second pill. It wasn't until day 3 that I realized it was Macrobid making me so sick, as I was fine before. When my feet began feeling like they were literally set ablaze from the inside out, I stopped taking this stuff immediately. I stopped yesterday and still have an excruciating burning pain in my feet and a tingling sensation in my hands. If this still has me in this level of pain on Monday, I'm calling a lawyer. I've never experienced ANY side effects from medicine, and with this one, I've experienced them all. This is poison! Do not take it."

• Sad...
• February 25, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG!! After taking my second dose, I developed VIOLENT vomiting, diarrhea, severe body aches, extremely high heart rate, low oxygen levels, and shortness of breath. Fever, chills, an inability to move with severe fatigue. It’s now 42 hours after my last dose and I am better. We are in a pandemic and having all these symptoms sure did scare me. I do NOT EVER recommend this drug to ANYONE! Horrible! I’m obviously not the only one. I wish I had read the reviews before I took this Med!"

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "Was put on Macrobid when my yearly physical lab showed a slightly higher WBC in urine. After 2 doses, I began with chills and fever. I had three days of 104 temp, nausea, and vomiting, even water would not stay down. As a senior adult living alone, I feared the need for IV and hospital treatment but would not go due to Covid. I called my doctor back and was told to go get tested for Covid. They offered no other reason for my ills. I did my own research and took myself off of the drug. 24 hours later, no chills, fever is normal, no vomiting. This was like poisoning my body. Never again! My daughters had similar experiences also. Be aware if taking this drug. I do not think it should be on the market."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2020

For Bladder Infection "This is the 2nd time I have used nitrofurantoin. I start off with a water infection, take the 1st tablet, and it starts to ease some of the symptoms. Then evening comes, and I start to feel really unwell - loss of appetite, like I have to get into bed as I feel so ill - achy, flu-like. Both times on the first night I have gone shivery, burning up with the worst fevers ever, my body feels like it is going into shut down and I feel like it is the end of my life. I have lots of visits to the bathroom in the night and leak so much. I am so weak the next day. I am out of it, asleep. Still no appetite, and the only drink that satisfies me is orange juice. This antibiotic helps with the infection, but the tablets attack my system in a way that frightens me."

• Use...
• May 23, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Took Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) twice for a UTI. The first time, I experienced a slight fever, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. I switched medication after speaking with my doctor, but I did not know that it also went by the name Macrobid as the generic brand. I had taken Macrobid before and was fine, so assumed that this was a one-off instance of bad side effects. Now taking it for a second time, and am experiencing very bad side effects of nausea, splitting headaches, slight fever, fatigue. No other UTI medicine I’ve taken before has caused similar reactions. Would not recommend taking something so risky when there are plenty of other just as effective alternatives."

• Alw...
• January 26, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "For everyone posting bad reviews, did any of you take it after eating a complete meal? I made the mistake of taking one before after eating a light snack, and I got the fever, chills, etc., like everyone else, but if I take it after eating a good-sized meal, then I'm fine. DON'T TAKE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH! These antibiotics do work great! Don't let the bad reviews stop you from taking them, just do what I said and eat real food, and if you still have side effects, then call your doctor. But from my experience, as long as I eat, no problems with them."

• No...
• November 14, 2013

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "First time I took Macrobid for UTI, after a few days I developed flu-like symptoms, fever, aches and pains, heart racing, bronchial congestion. After the infection came back, I took it again and only one dose brought back all the side effects and more. I went online to see if I was alone and I am one of many with this reaction and worse. Thank God for the Internet."

• No ...
• June 6, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "Prescribed for a UTI. Long story short, I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. Severe body aches, joint pain, back pain, chest pain, fever up to 101.7, major chills, headache, feeling anxious, feeling depressed, crying, feeling irritable, fatigue, weakness, night sweats, tight jaw. This medication is dangerous, and I'm glad I stumbled across this site because I thought I was going crazy. I have one more day of this horrible medication, and I'll stick it out because I don't want to have to take any more antibiotics. 100mg twice a day for seven days."

• Rhl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I have been taking 100 mg of Macrobid at bedtime each night for the past almost 2 weeks to hopefully prevent reoccurring UTIs. After a couple of days, I developed such a bad cough that I was actually sent for a COVID-19 test, ran low-grade fevers, had headaches, no energy at all...could barely move and felt faint and had no appetite. Forgot the pill one night and realized, late the following day, how great and normal I felt all day, so much energy...actually wanted to and enjoyed eating. Took my pill again that night and next day...it was even worse. Am calling my doctor, I don’t want to feel like I’m literally fading away."

• Wha...
• July 30, 2014

Nitrofurantoin 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."

• Can...
• October 13, 2013

Nitrofurantoin 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."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2011

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Cleared up my urinary tract infection quickly, but I had a severe reaction to the medication. High fever, profuse sweating, chills, blurred vision, muscle aches, skin sensitivity (it was uncomfortable to touch my skin), rash, tingling and burning in my hands and feet, racing heart, confusion. Most of these symptoms started on Day 2 of the 6 days I took it. I thought all of these symptoms, with the exception of the rash, were from the flu."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "So this is my 3rd time on these tablets this year. The first two times were for a UTI, this time for a kidney infection. The first two times, no side effects at all. This time, I’m on day 4 of taking these, and I feel dreadful: dry mouth, stomach ache, cramps, pain, diarrhea, and this morning I woke up and felt like I had the flu, with fever, chills, and severe aches and pains from the stomach down. I’m going to have to continue taking them due to having a kidney infection. I did ring my doctors, but they refused to change my antibiotics. This is just my experience, everyone is different, but I definitely wouldn’t take these again, and I can normally take any tablets and have no side effects."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I felt the medication would have worked, my symptoms of UTI were easing. Unfortunately, after just 1 day of taking Macrodantin, I had the most awful sudden reaction: cough, uncontrollable shaking, chills, high temperature, body aches, and chest tightness. I didn't have enough energy to shower or leave my bed. I decided to stop and felt I was getting better from the side effects. Twenty-four hours later, I started the medication again. After the 2nd dose, I woke up during the night with the same symptoms. I had pneumonia years ago, these symptoms felt the same. I know I can never take this medication again."

• Cyn...
• August 14, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I started taking the medication, the first day was okay. The second day, I don't know what happened, but I started getting a fever, then chills, it got worse. I couldn't eat, my body hurt so bad, tossing and turning. Not to mention that I lost ALL appetite to eat, and that was yesterday! I'm awake now with still a killer headache, can't sleep. My stomach hurts, and I'm heading to the doctor because the medication just isn't for me if it's making me feel worse than when I had the bladder infection."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I have a history of UTIs and kidney infections because my urethra is abnormal. However, with every UTI, I have been prescribed several different antibiotics. None that are accompanied by side effects, but every person is different. With every UTI I have had, I have always experienced headache, nausea, body aches, and fever. All went away with the UTI. When I asked my doctor, he said the antibiotics take between 48 and 72 hours to start taking effect on your body. You may be experiencing some effects of your infection."

• WGD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "Haven't had a UTI in probably more than 10 years. Have recently been diagnosed with 2 in the last 3 months. Had Macrobid both times. The first time I ended up with fever and chills, but thought I was unlucky and had picked up a virus. Symptoms went away by the end of the treatment. When the UTI came back, I was given the same medication. Within 12 hours of taking the first dose, my fever and chills became so bad that I almost went to urgent care. Advil reduced the fever temporarily, but I won't take it again."

• pal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid was the worst experience I have ever had with any drug. Breathing problems developed on day 2 of a 3-day course, coughing, palpitations followed by chills and fever. Unable to do anything for three days and thought I had a very bad dose of flu, which is all you need when you have cystitis, but no, it was just the side effects from this antibiotic. Never again!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Bladder Infection "Horrible!! I'm lying in bed now with the worst stomach pain I have ever experienced from taking a medicine. I'm a 6-foot-1 woman, and I never get side effects. My stomach feels swollen as though it will explode at any minute, and like I have internal bleeding, and like it is on fire, and has for 3 days! I ate every time I took it. I feel feverish and sick. If I didn't Google reviews, I'd think it was the end of me. I took it for 4 days before stopping. I feel like this was prescribed to me by some sadistic and cruel nurse. I will put in my medical file that I'm allergic to a medicine, to this poison, just so I do not forget and take it again years down the road! I wish I had read reviews before taking it!"

• Mee...
• September 29, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I got prescribed Macrobid. Read all kinds of reviews, good and bad ones. Decided to give it a try. Ate like a pig and took the pill. I got so sick. I was lightheaded (like I consumed all kinds of drugs) and had sharp pain in my stomach. Got a fever. My back... oh, my back killed me. And I had difficulties breathing. Felt like I got kicked by a horse. I called in sick for two days in a row for work. And I only took two pills. I'm stopping it. Gonna end up in the coffin much faster with that medication. I was all normal before taking that medication with a bit of UTI... now I feel like I'm a rotten vegetable :("

• Oga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I wish I would have read these reviews before I started taking this medication! I feel so sick! I started to wonder if I have something really serious like cancer. I am so weak. One minute I am drenched in sweat, and then I have chills so bad no amount of blankets will warm me. I can't get out of bed, and I must go to work tomorrow. I am a teacher, and I have parent/teacher conferences! I constantly have a fever of 101 or higher! Why would they prescribe this medication to anyone? Too many people have the same terrible side effects!"

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2021

For Prevention of Bladder infection "I was given this drug to take to prevent recurring UTIs. “100 mg 1x per day with food at bedtime.” All I can say is “avoid at ALL COST!” I have ended up with horrifying bowel movements (frequency and color), backache, no energy, no appetite (great when you're supposed to take this with food), fever, chills, severe anxiety, but the worst was lung congestion, a horrifying cough, and difficulty breathing that was SO BAD I was sent for a Covid test, and they said they were certain I had it (I didn’t). Stopped taking the drug, and within 24 hours there were no more fevers, cough lessened, no congestion. Took a couple of days for the bowel movement issues, difficulty breathing, backache, etc. to subside. I think this drug should be taken off the market. I started taking the supplement D-mannose daily and have had much more luck. I will never EVER take this again."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Took the first 2 Macrobid pills, started running a fever of 101, headache, vomiting, could barely function, felt sicker than I ever have. Worried that the infection had gone to my kidneys. Never been to the ER in my life, but decided to go because I was scared. Tests all came back normal. Sent me home and said to finish my course of Macrobid. Felt better when I got home (about 12 hours since the last pill), was finally able to eat, took the next dose of Macrobid. Shortly thereafter, I was violently ill again. The next day, after close to 24 hours since the last pill, I started feeling better, was able to eat. That’s when it dawned on me: drug side effect. I found sites like this where people had the same experience. The next day, the hospital called to check on me. I told them what I discovered; they said they had never heard of Macrobid causing this reaction. Bottom line, I got sick after taking it and got well after not taking it. My symptoms match the manufacturer’s list of side effects. What else am I supposed to think?"

• Ull...
• February 7, 2020

For Bladder Infection "I got a prescription of nitrofurantoin in November 2019 for a simple UTI. Had no other symptom other than burning pee and soreness in the right kidney. One hour after I took the first pill, I became so ill that I could not move. I ended up in bed with a severe headache, shivering with a high fever, and my feet felt like they were burning up. My daughter wanted to take me to the emergency, but I was too sick to move. Also, I could hardly breathe. It was getting worse with each dose. Total loss of appetite... I lost 7 lbs. When I stopped taking the drug after four days, I improved slightly and was able to get to the hospital. There, the doctor explained that I had a very rare reaction to a common drug and that I was lucky that I discontinued taking it when I did. He said that it had not permanently damaged my lungs. I expected to gradually get better, but my feet are still burning and now they are also numb and tingling. Still hard to breathe. I am actually a mess ever since this ordeal."

• Jul...
• July 18, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "After taking 2 pills, I suddenly experienced chills and a fever of 101, and a severe throbbing headache. I called the doctor, spoke to the nurse, she advised continuing taking it. My gut told me not to. Later in the evening, I developed tingly fingers. I called my doctor, and he said to stop taking it, I may be having a serum reaction. It's been over 24 hours since I have taken Macrobid, and I still have a terrible throbbing headache, upper back ache, and a low-grade fever. This medication is poison!!! I can't believe it hasn't been banned! Will pass the word to everyone never to take this horrible drug!"