Skip to main content

Nitrofurantoin and Fever: What Users Say (Page 4)

Brand names: Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin

Reviews for Nitrofurantoin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Lis...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 12, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I've been having repeat bladder/kidney infections... 5 in 4 months... have no idea the cause... being sent for a kidney scan. My last lot of antibiotics (currently) were these... I got to day 4 and was hit with a high fever, uncontrollable shivering, every muscle in my body hurt, sore back and neck, and a thumping headache. Took paracetamol and ibuprofen, and within 3 hours started to feel my temperature come down. The next morning I read the side effects... OMG... I was experiencing most of them, the wheezy breathing and cough now started. Because it's a Saturday and it says to consult your doctor if you experience any side effects. I've just stopped taking them... it was really scary. From reading the other comments, I think it'll take 2 days to start to feel better."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • Ath...
  • December 7, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "So I just had a breast reduction three weeks ago, and two weeks into the healing process, I got my first UTI. I consulted friends about the pain after urinating, and they suggested lots of water and cranberry juice, which didn't do much at all. A few days later, after consuming all that liquid, my kidneys started throbbing. I couldn't take it and went to the doctors. They prescribed me Macrobid. I'm currently on day three, twice a day with food. I've experienced fevers, chills, constant abdominal and kidney pains to the point of tears. The only thing that's stopped hurting is going to the washroom. I'm on this medication for four more days and hoping I recover soon. My body's under enough stress with the reduction/infection, so I'm hoping that this medication will clear the UTI up."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • b b...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 10, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I took this drug for the first time for 1 day (2 pills). Heart pounding fast, had the chills, heavy chest, very dizzy and unsteady when standing. Had to go to bed. All night, had the worst headache I have ever had (haven't had headaches for years). Body ached, bad stomach ache, fever, had to throw up. Got no sleep. Never been sick like that. Refused to take it the next day (was prescribed 2 pills for 3 days). Awful drug - do not take. Have never had a problem with other antibiotics for urinary tract infections or prevention of."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Min...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 10, 2019

For Bladder Infection "My experience is pretty much the same as others have described. Only taken 3, and I have had fever, chills, pounding head, neck pains, and extreme tiredness. They are all listed as serious side effects, so I am not taking any more. Taken on a previous occasion and didn’t have any problems like this. Just feels like the flu."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • jac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 6, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "I thought my mother had a UTI, so I gave her these tablets on a doctor's prescription. He would not come out and check her. A urine sample took 10 days, so I had no idea if she had a UTI. She has had other antibiotics with no problems. On the second tablet, I got her up in the morning to find she had a high temperature since taking them. Then her BP went so high that she could not breathe, and I called an ambulance. It was very scary because of a heart problem, and had she had a heart attack, they would not have revived her. I know some people have said here that more people leave negative reviews and that people also are fine on these tablets. I guess you should just try them and see. I only came here to look at the reviews because of my mom's symptoms, not just to frighten myself. Then I find others saying about heart palpitations and breathlessness."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Mom...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is a terrible drug. I took it for 7 days, and after I finished all of it, I broke out in a bad rash, had a fever, hurt all over. I've been off of it for over a week and had to go to the doctor twice. This should be taken off the market. I just hope permanent damage was not done to my organs."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Dea...
  • March 31, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Took for a bladder infection that a culture later reported I never had. Odd. After two doses, I woke up with fever, chills, nausea, pain along the spine and neck, all over muscular pain, headache, excessive belching, chest and abdominal pain, and excessive peeing with bladder lining burning and urgency. Bladder infection, flu, and mono tests negative on two separate doctor visits. Abdominal CT scan and chest x-ray did not show any abnormalities. Blood work did show red blood cells in urine and elevated liver enzymes. I do not drink alcohol if you were wondering. Today is day 7 and I still have a 101 fever, with no diagnosis, but I do not plan to ever take this antibiotic again regardless."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • AJa...
  • May 29, 2016

For Bladder Infection "This medication landed me in the ER twice this week. I developed a fever that went as high as 102.6, shaking chills, the worst headache of my life (they thought it might be meningitis), and body aches and tiredness. Within a few days later, difficulty breathing, tingling hands and feet, and severe abdominal pain led to vomiting. This is not worth what it was prescribed for!!"

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Aja...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 8, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I had a laparoscopy, and a week later developed a urine infection. I take 100 mg 4 times a day, and the course is for 5 days. I’ve been on them for 3 days, and I feel the worst I’ve ever felt. It's been so bad that I’ve called an ambulance due to the cramps, fever, and numbness in my arms and feet. The trapped wind is horrific, and I’ve been peeing a lot and grinding my teeth, and I’ve lost a couple of fillings. I feel my adrenaline going when I need the toilet, it’s like a falling feeling, which is followed by a temperature, and then my feet feel like frostbite. If you can avoid this medication, do it, because I’m one panic attack away from the loony bin. I’ve never felt so out of control in my life!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Cra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Within 24 hours, I started with severe shaking of hands, then entire upper torso, followed by chills (worst I've ever had), vomiting, fever, and severe aches and joint pain. I thought I was having a stroke! I will not take again and have never had a reaction to any meds taken. Always had Cipro or Bactrim with no problems and asked for one of these, but the doctor ordered Keflex. 48 hours later, I'm still very weak, couldn't eat for 24 hours. It was scary."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • 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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Jme...
  • December 20, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid (100 mg two times a day for 10 days) for a pretty severe UTI. The first day I took it, I felt like I had a fever, and I had chills and body aches. I figured it was just my UTI causing the symptoms. Today I am on day 10 (last day), and I am going to the doctor's for a different medication because after taking one of the pills last night, I developed what I thought was the flu: severe body aches, fever, chills. I really considered going to the ER because I was that sick. I woke up this morning feeling better than last night, but I refuse to take another pill. As far as cleaning up my UTI, some days I have felt normal, and other days I still have the burning and frequency."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • UK...
  • February 28, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Genfura (Nitrofurantoin) after a previous antibiotic was ineffective in curing a UTI. UTI symptoms were completely gone within 3 days, but I had major side effects within hours of taking the first pill. Side effects: worst flu-like symptoms of my life, and I nearly went to A&E, I was so sick. I had a high fever for 2 days, chills, shallow labored breathing, no appetite, nausea, constipation, extreme weakness, severe headache, and I couldn't leave my bed for 2 days. Strangely, the side effects went away as soon as they came on, and 4 days into the medication, I feel fine."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • TTa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this drug nitrofurantoin in Feb 2019 for a UTI. After about 2 doses, I got so ill I ended up in the ER. I spent 3 days hospitalized. The chest pain, neck pain, sob, and fever. I was so very ill. The Dr. seemed to think it was just the infection. It took me several weeks to recover. September 11, 2019, I took it again for a UTI. Same thing again, visit to the ER. Pain, chest pain, neck pain, and fever. Hospital 2 nights, rounds of steroids and antibiotics. Heart rate up and blood sugar up, vomiting. I am planning on a follow-up with my Drs. this week. There is no doubt that this medication caused me pain and so much anxiety. If I had known that this medication was the cause of this reaction, of course I wouldn't have taken it a second time. To say the least, I'm furious, and I wonder if my body will ever recover."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Dar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 19, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I started taking nitrofurantoin on a Friday. I kept saying this medicine is kicking my butt. I felt a little wobbly and like I had a virus. By Thursday I had a fever, chills, wicked headache, trouble breathing. There were moments I felt like I was going to explode. I went to the doctor, and she gave me another medication and told me to stop the nitrofurantoin. That was yesterday. I still have a fever, headaches, and feel horrible. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. I’m trying to find out how long it remains in the system."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Leo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 11, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I've taken this drug before and don't remember any side effects. Boy, was this time different. After my second dose of nitrofurantoin for a UTI, I started feeling unusually exhausted and achy and started getting the chills, and if I'd had any coughing or sneezing, I'd have been convinced that it was the flu. I had to skip a family dinner. Overnight it got much, much worse. Everything hurt, and I started running a fever. I had such a bad headache that I feared it was meningitis. I suffered through all of this on the day of my son's graduation. Horrible symptoms. That night, I fell asleep and missed my dose. Now feeling much better, and I'm realizing it was a reaction to this drug. I came very, very close to missing a big life event because of this drug."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 11, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "It's day two today, and I have been running a high fever. I have the chills, extreme nausea, and I feel dizzy to the point of passing out. My UTI symptoms are still very much there. I've missed three days of work now. I've taken it with a big bowl of soup every time now as well. All I want to do is sleep. I'm pretty sure I slept over ten hours today so far, and I'm starting to get a headache now."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Dgu...
  • March 7, 2017

For Bladder Infection "I used to have recurrent UTIs and had no problems with other antibiotics. I hadn't had one in around 6 months, but am in week 7 of my second pregnancy, and they've returned. I was given nitrofurantoin, 50 mg 4 times per day. The first and second dose made me incredibly nauseous all day, delirious, and with a fever but freezing hands and feet. The 3rd and 4th mild nausea. I'm on day 2 and there are still mild cystitis symptoms, and again the 1st dose in the morning made me nauseous and delirious. I'm too sick to leave the house to change my medication and have had to miss work, but I will definitely be asking for something else if ever prescribed this again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • sha...
  • May 9, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "This drug put me in the ER last night. I've had UTIs before and have taken Cipro, etc., without issue, but yesterday I was prescribed nitrofurantoin for the first time. Approximately two hours after taking it, I felt like I was going to throw up, and shortly thereafter, I became severely winded after climbing just one flight of stairs. I sat on the floor trying to breathe for almost a full hour and just couldn't catch my breath. Then, I began shaking uncontrollably and was told I needed to go to the ER as they thought my windpipe was inflamed and closing up. I arrived at the hospital visibly shaking, my fever shot up, and I spent several hours being monitored and given pills to counteract the nitro before they let me leave. Terrifying."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Jay...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 21, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I took this for 3 days, it certainly got rid of the UTI, but a week later, I still feel dizzy and nauseous. I felt like I had vertigo and couldn't move my head quickly. Also, fever and just felt dreadful. I will not take this again."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Kga...
  • September 10, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this for a UTI. I became sick right away but thought it was the UTI getting worse. By the 3rd day, I had such severe body aches, chills, chest pain (I could barely breathe), and an extremely high fever. I went to urgent care and could barely walk. They checked my temp, which was slightly over 103, and told me they were going to call an ambulance for me if I didn’t race to the hospital right away. My husband drove me there as fast as he could, and I thought I was dying. Not only was I in extreme pain, but my anxiety was through the roof. I got to the ER with a 104 temp, and they did every test on me (including a CAT scan) and found nothing wrong and told me to keep taking it. I went home and took 1 more dose, and that was it. I was so sick I didn’t take any more. I thought I was going to die. Twelve hours after my first skipped dose, I finally felt like I wasn’t going to die—like I might actually live. I never took another pill and got better fairly quickly."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Lac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 7, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed for a very painful UTI. After 3 days, I felt no relief. The 4th day, I began to feel better but very fatigued. The 5th day, I developed a rash on my scalp. I thought it was shingles. I woke up the 6th day with extreme itching and discomfort. The rash had spread to my shoulders and eventually down my chest and to my waistline. I went to my doctor who took me off Macrobid, switched me to Cipro for another round of antibiotics, and prescribed a shampoo and topical ointment for the rash. I wish I had changed antibiotics that 4th day. This is miserable, red itchy welts everywhere, and low-grade fever."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 31, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "About 30 minutes after taking the pill, I felt like I had the flu. (Feverish, chills, achy joints, terrible stomach pains, headache, heartburn, and pure exhaustion.) Within the hour, I had to go to bed. I do have to say that I woke up the next day feeling great! I waited until I got to work because I didn't want to take the pill and drive. I spent the rest of the day at my desk feeling the same as the night before. When it was time to drive home, I felt okay, and the symptoms from my infection were clearly getting better. I'm now on day 4, and I've gotten into a routine that helps. I take the pill at 10 pm after I've put my kids to bed and do what I have to do for the night so that I can go right to bed and skip feeling like crap all night. Then I take it again at 10 am, about an hour or so after I get to work in the morning. I eat Greek yogurt right before taking the pill and a few crackers or a Nutrigrain bar right after, and that has definitely helped with the stomach cramps and heartburn!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Pai...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 28, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Was on vacation and given nitrofurantoin for UTI. It gave me a temperature of 99 to 100, fever, legs weak, joints very painful. Jaw joint pain. Extreme tiredness. Couldn't sleep because my body felt like restless leg syndrome with aches and pain. Constipation. I just went to see if it cured my UTI. I will never take this poison again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • los...
  • November 30, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed 50 mg Macrodantin capsules to be used over the course of 7 days for treatment of a UTI. Let me tell you right now that this medicine not only doesn't work and that I still have a UTI after completing the course; the side effects were like nothing I had ever felt before, and my infection actually progressed to a kidney infection. First off, I started to feel nauseous while taking this medicine and thought that it would be alright after a few days. However, by day 3, I was in agony with abdominal pain, chest pain, lower back pain, fever, and chills. The nausea was also still there. I decided to call my doctor, and they advised that I finish my 7-day course and then call back if symptoms did not stop by day 7. By day 7, I still had a UTI, as well as chest pain, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fever, and chills, all of which only started to happen once I took these antibiotics. This medicine may as well be a placebo."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report

See also:

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
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.