Nitrofurantoin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mom...
• October 20, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I had a pretty terrible UTI for 10 days and counting, the burning was only getting worse. The day I was going to take a trip to the clinic was the day that I woke up with a high fever and aches and pains in both sides of my body. I haven't experienced anything like it. My brother and sister decided to drive me to the emergency in case it was an issue with my kidney. I was prescribed Macrobid 100 mg, take 1 twice a day with a meal. Lots, lots of water. I have never felt so cold and delirious in my life. I have a pounding headache, my body is so achy (neck, chest, everything), my stomach has stabbing pains in all sides and upper abdomen. Most alarming, my breathing is feeling tight, like from when I used to have asthma. The burning is gone, though."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Been taking this drug for 3 days and not sure if the way I’m feeling is due to the drug or my ongoing stomach issues and anxiety. However, I have been feeling tired, nauseous, and experiencing some dizziness. Also, had a headache for the first 2 days that wouldn’t budge - mainly frontal, behind the eyes! On the plus side, it seems to have cleared the UTI. I’ve completed my course, so hopefully, these symptoms will disappear."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2023

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "If you have a UTI and your doctor wants to put you on Macrobid, let me tell you all about the side effects I had. The first day I was on it, I had a raging headache to the point I thought I had a brain tumor inside me. Then days two and three, I had the worst nausea and vomiting I’ve ever had. I would have a severe loss of appetite after taking the first dose in the morning. This is where it got weird. This antibiotic was literally burning my labia lips to where my pubic hairs were burning off me. Second, my butt cheeks felt like they were being electrocuted and with the worst stinging needles in my ass cheeks, I thought I had another condition. I stopped taking this after my UTI felt resolved. Now I’m off it, I am still feeling all these effects. Not to mention all I want to do is sleep. The only positive thing about this drug was it made my raging UTI go away."

• cri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "After reading so many horror stories, I was terrified to take this. But my UTI was unbearable, so I decided there was no other option. I have taken it with food, and a few hours later, I pop a few good probiotics. I am on day 4 and still have not experienced any of the awful symptoms described here. I did notice a headache the first day and slight nausea, but that went away once I ate. My UTI symptoms diminished after 24 hours, and I am one happy camper! Lesson learned - the internet causes anxiety! lol"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am 66 yr. old and get a lot of UTIs after going on the bike, in the pool, and apparatus at the gym that causes friction in that area. I usually get ciprofloxacin, which doesn't affect me much. But, Macrobid causes stomach troubles, nausea, chest and lung problems, chills, fevers, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, and more. I didn't have time to say 'no' to the walk-in doc who gave me this again, but I will never, ever use it again. I know it's going to take another week to get 'semi-normal' again, but this med takes me down every time."

• Bum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2012

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I suffered severe headaches and nausea for hours from the very first dose and every dose thereafter. I would feel faint, overheated, extremely tired; I slept with the windows open and the heat off (it's winter). Four days of taking Macrobid, I began to have loose stools and severe muscle aches and neck stiffness. I began to have a sore throat and a dry cough on day two. After stopping, within 24 hours, I began to itch severely. I've been off of it for 48 hours and I still have a headache and I use Benadryl for the itching. I was given Levaquin in one dose, then Macrobid 100 mg two times a day for 10 days by the ER doctor. But my primary doctor thought it was overkill and should have just used the Levaquin."

• lhs...
• June 10, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a 3-day course, 2 doses a day. The first day I seemed to be getting better, but then I woke up at 4:15 am the morning of the second day with chest pains. Throughout the day, I suffered from headaches, chest pains, muscle and joint aches, nausea, dizziness, fever, and chills. Now on the third day, and though I'm not feeling as ill anymore, I'm still dealing with chest, back, and stomach pains. Can't even tell if treating the UTI because I've been in so much pain. Worst experience I've ever had with antibiotics - would definitely never use Macrobid again!"

• Lp1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Got a UTI. Uncomfortable but not nearly as bad as I felt after taking this drug. I agree 100% with others who have posted their negative experience. I am suffering from extreme stomach pain, chills, night sweats, headaches, and general pain all over, this is after taking nitrofurantoin for 2 out of a 7-day prescription. Not sure I can keep taking it because I am feeling so horrible. I rarely, if ever, have a bad reaction to antibiotics."

• kco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was put on this Macrobid because I had a very bad UTI. I tried all the natural remedies first, such as cranberry juice, cranberry supplements, and D-mannose. To no avail, I called my physician, and they prescribed Macrobid over the phone. I was given doses to last for 5 days. The first day, the symptoms of the UTI subsided a little, but I could still feel a little pain. On the second day, I started to get a dull headache and felt sleepy, and the UTI was seeming to get worse. On the third day, the UTI pain went away, but I kept the headache, so I took some aspirin to counteract that. I am on my 4th day, I feel way better. I will finish my prescription and hopefully will be good from there."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "After being diagnosed with a UTI, I was given Macrobid 100 mg 2x day. The first day was fine. On the second day, I noticed a lot of stomach pain after taking each dose. On the 3rd day, I woke up with a headache, abdominal pain, and a weak and ill feeling. I called my doctor to see if I could get switched to another medication. I felt ill, foggy-headed, and anxious the rest of that day. I did not like this medication and won't take it again."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Day 1 no symptoms. Day 2 I felt better, then had 5 bowel movements. Day 3 tingling/needle feeling in both feet and the chills. Day 4 no symptoms. Day 5 no symptoms. Day 6 bad headache, chills, fever of 103.4. Ears ringing. Took aspirin, fever broke to 102.2. 3 hours later fever was up to 103.2. Resting heartbeat rate 137-139. (My normal resting heartbeat is 58-64.) Shortness of breath. Day 7 I stopped taking the drug. Shortness of breath. Fever 102.5, resting heartbeat rate 110. Ears ringing. Day 8 fever 100-101.4. Shortness of breath increased. Left eye hurt, sharp pain. Ears ringing. Resting heartbeat rate 99. Day 9 fever dropped down to 96.1! An hour later, temp was 97.0. Checked every 2 hours, temp fluctuated between 96.7 - 97.5. Lungs hurt more. Dizzy. Day 10 temp 97.5. Shortness of breath. Strange intermittent hiccup type of breathing. Headache, right temple sharp pains, pain travels down behind my right ear to the base of the skull. Left eye okay today."

• sic...
• September 23, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "After having a lot of urine infections for the past year, I am now back on Macrodantin 50 mg, 4 times a day for 7 days. Makes me feel yak, headaches, keeps me awake, slightly dizzy, feel tired a lot. Then doctor wants me to take a low dose of it for 6 weeks. Will keep you posted if it actually works this time. I have my doubts."

• Suz...
• November 21, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I have been on Macrobid twice for bladder infections. It cleared them up, but the side effects knocked me off my feet for days. Fever of 101-102 and flu-like achiness and wicked headaches the entire time I was on the medication. The first time I took it, the doctor said I must have had the flu too. The second time I called him after three days and had him switch me to another antibiotic."

• Jem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2024

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Successfully cleared my mild UTI, but not without some uncomfortable side effects. Definitely more gentle on the stomach than other antibiotics, but still experienced diarrhea the entire time. No nausea or vomiting, but definitely had dizziness and general malaise. Spent most of the 7-day course in bed because I was just so weak and off balance. My right arm developed a weakness/numbness that felt like I had laid on it for too long, except it didn’t begin to go away until I stopped treatment. Vivid, intense dreams. Developed some frustrating headaches the last few days of treatment, but nothing severe. Would prefer to take this again over other antibiotics if I had to, but I absolutely hope I don’t have to deal with this medication again."

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Have had UTI 3 times now and treated with Macrobid. Third time I only had a pain in my right side and within taking the first pill my heart rate shot up and got excruciating headaches, and I had shivering and a high temp, basically flu-like symptoms. Though I was dying, I was bedbound and thought I had sepsis as most of the symptoms matched. I was crying in bed as I felt so bad. On the second day, the temperature came down and shivering was gone, but headaches were still there, and I mean they were so bad radiating pain into my jaw. I had no appetite either but forced myself to have something as it states in the pack you should for absolution. Saw doc today and she took me off them, will wait for results to see if I need something else. Glad I looked on here, thought I was going mad. I’m sure that Macrobid is fine for some people and I was the first two times, but not now. UK review"

• Jet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Went to Dr. as I had blood in my urine, no other symptoms, culture says UTI. Prescription Macrobid. First day I had a massive headache that hurt so bad I cried. 2nd and 3rd day, nausea and diarrhea with increased anxiety. 4th day, dizziness so bad I felt like I was sleeping drunk, sitting to standing was a nightmare and walking was difficult. Felt flu-like the entire time. It has been 2 weeks since I stopped taking it. Had to go to the Dr. again because the dizziness did not go away. Now I have an inner ear problem that needs to be fixed with therapy. Still feeling sick. 2 panic attacks and still an increase in anxiety. Random periods of time feeling like I can’t catch my breath. Will never ever take again. Also, fun side note, still have blood in urine."

• Anonymous
• August 30, 2012

For Bladder Infection "I started taking nitrofurantoin today for a bladder infection, first and only pill at about 1 pm. Felt fine till about 6 pm and started feeling extremely tired to the point I could hardly stay awake. Then came the horrible nausea (thanks for Zofran), along with dizziness, chills, shortness of breath, headache, stuffy nose, and not feeling well in general."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I began to take Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin mono) 100 mg caplets on last Thursday for a UTI. Within 24 hours, I had severe muscle aching, headache, and fatigue. Within 2 days, I had even more severe body aches, joint pain, extreme fatigue and sleepiness, dizziness and difficulty walking, as well as a fever of 101-102 degrees. I went into a walk-in clinic, but symptoms progressed, and by Sunday, I was in the ER thinking I was in septic shock. I assumed my infection had spread, I had no idea it could be a reaction to the antibiotic. After a barrage of tests, including a CT scan, the only possibility is that this poison was wrecking my health. This medication caused me a huge amount of problems. I stopped taking it yesterday and still have a headache, dizziness, muscle aches, and low fever. I can only hope the damage caused by Macrobid is not permanent."

• C S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on my 4th pill of Macrobid. Ok, the reviews here will scare the crap out of you, but let me give you a few tips. I made sure my doctor prescribed me Zofran, so when I took the first pill (be sure to take it with food), I took a Zofran. I did feel nauseous for about 30 minutes and felt a little woozy, but it didn't last long. I took the 2nd pill with food and got a headache, but nothing horrible, and I had no other side effects. By the time I took the third pill, I had no side effects, but I still took the pill with food and Zofran. Don't let the reviews scare you. I feel so much better after 4 pills as far as my infection, and the more the pills get in your system, the less severe the side effects should be. Zofran and food, and you'll be good to go."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Just finished a course of nitrofurantoin at a dose of 2 times a day for 5 days. The first 3 days it worked, and the UTI seemed to be clearing up, but on day 4, I started feeling funny again, and now on day 5, all my symptoms are coming back just as bad as they did when I went to the doctor. I found the first 3 days I had a bit of a headache taking this, and my heart seemed to race a bit, but my side effects went away the same time my symptoms started coming back. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to get something else because this stuff doesn't work."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2009

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "This drug makes me very drowsy, headache, backache, severe nausea even when taken with food. The pain after urination is still there after 4 days on the drug. The only positive thing so far is that I have not gotten a yeast infection, which was common with other urinary tract infection drugs."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Macrodantin for UTI. Was extremely ill from day one with a headache, pressure in the left ear, muscle pain, back pain, and a general illness feeling. Was originally prescribed 5 days of 100 mg twice a day. Day 2/3 I couldn't bear it any longer and contacted the doctor to change it, he insisted I stay on it and changed it to 50 mg x 4 times a day. Gave up on day 3/4 as I couldn't take the side effects and low mood any longer. Still not feeling great on day 7, and the ear still feels full."

• San...
• September 10, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I was prescribed this medicine for a bladder infection and would never recommend anyone to take it. Obviously, it depends on your body type, but I usually have a high tolerance. I'm needing to head to the doctor's now because I've been experiencing painful headaches every day, sharp stomach aches, muscle pain, chills (hot to brutally cold: fever-type symptoms), tingling, light-headed, nauseous, eye aches, my urine went from neon green to dark brown, and as gross as it is, I haven't been able to take a proper poo, but every time I pass gas on the toilet, watery diarrhea-like stuff comes out, and I've seen some blood when I wiped. This medicine definitely didn't go well with me and is a painful experience!"

• nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I get UTIs pretty frequently, so as soon as I felt the symptoms coming on, I went to an urgent care. The first day of Macrobid, I got a headache. The second day, I had a severe headache, body aches, weakness, and malaise. However, I thought it was just my illness because I have never had an experience like this with medication before. Day 3, I am in hell and sicker than a dog. Severe headache, nausea, lightheaded, weak, fatigued. I called in for Bactrim. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. I get that not everyone has this reaction, but the risk is not worth it to me."

• nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I get UTIs pretty frequently, so as soon as I felt the symptoms coming on, I went to an urgent care. The first day of Macrobid, I got a headache. The second day, I had a severe headache, body aches, weakness, and malaise. However, I thought it was just my illness because I have never had an experience like this with medication before. Day 3, I am in hell and sicker than a dog. Severe headache, nausea, lightheaded, weak, fatigued. I called in for Bactrim. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. I get that not everyone has this reaction, but the risk is not worth it to me."