Nitrofurantoin and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• i...
• December 19, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "The side effects. Today I went to the doctor with symptoms of cloudy urine and frequent urination. I was diagnosed with a bladder infection, and I was prescribed Macrobid, 2x po daily for 5 days. I've taken this medication before for a UTI, and I was fine, but for some reason, I took this pill 2 hours ago and already I feel the sensation to gag every time I breathe in. This kind of nausea feels detestable. I'm so uncomfortable. I also got severe back pain and tight chest out of nowhere. I can't believe this."

• 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."

• Ise...
• June 3, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given nitrofurantoin for cystitis many years ago, and while it cleared the infection, it also made me very nauseous and weak. This time, however, I was prescribed it in the form of Macrodantin capsules, and I had no side effects whatsoever. Because of my previous experience, I was really quite scared to take it, but began with half the dose prescribed just to see how I'd feel. When I didn't feel sick after the first couple of half-doses, I upped it to the full dose and was fine, no nausea at all or any other side effects. I took it with meals, but not always with a full meal, sometimes only with a snack, but it still didn't make me feel sick. I suppose the lesson learned from reading all these posts is that we're all different."

• Jco...
• November 17, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Cleared up the UTI pretty quickly. But on the second day, I started to have some side effects: nausea, upper abdominal and back pain, feeling very weak and tired. Eating a larger meal with the pill seems to help a little. Not the worst medication, but not great either."

• A-n...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Very effective antibiotic-cleared symptoms within 24 hours. Side effects are terrible. You will feel like you have the stomach flu or food poisoning-fever, chills, and extreme nausea. I would recommend taking it with a big meal. I feel marginal (not wonderful) eating a big lunch and taking it, but eating a relatively small dinner and taking the pill 3 hours later, I spent the night thinking I had another illness besides the infection. Probably will ask for a different antibiotic if this happens again. Aside from slight nausea, I never react to medications, and this is all new to me."

• A-n...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Very effective antibiotic-cleared symptoms within 24 hours. Side effects are terrible. You will feel like you have the stomach flu or food poisoning-fever, chills, and extreme nausea. I would recommend taking it with a big meal. I feel marginal (not wonderful) eating a big lunch and taking it, but eating a relatively small dinner and taking the pill 3 hours later, I spent the night thinking I had another illness besides the infection. Probably will ask for a different antibiotic if this happens again. Aside from slight nausea, I never react to medications, and this is all new to me."

• 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!"

• Eri...
• February 28, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "It made me very sleepy and dizzy. I also got chest pains, and it made my heart race. My urine was also a very bright, almost neon yellow color. I stopped taking it after 2 days, and then I was fine. And I always took it after I ate. The one time I took it on an empty stomach, I vomited and was nauseous for a few hours."

• 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."

• Tra...
• May 17, 2009

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I have a urinary tract infection and was prescribed this medication along with phenazopyridine, which takes the burn out of urination. They warned me that Macrobid might cause slight stomach upset, but I threw up four times in a row last night and feel nauseous all the time (regardless of how much I eat). I had a UTI a few years ago and was prescribed a pill that caused no stomach upset. Why are they prescribing Macrobid now?"

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2022

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "When I had my first UTI, I was prescribed Bactrim. Later, I found out that I was allergic to it and developed some hives and rashes. Then my doctor switched it to Macrobid. It was great, I did not develop any side effects. The UTI was gone. Three years later, I developed another UTI. I told my doctor that I preferred to be prescribed Macrobid since I responded very well the last time I took it. But this time is different, I started to develop almost all of the side effects. I feel so weak, nauseated, and dizzy all the time. Loss of appetite and my vision turned out a little funny. But my UTI was better, except that the side effects just got me this time. I would say that Macrobid is a good drug for UTI. As we age, our bodies react differently to drugs, and indeed medications/vaccines are not a one size fits all."

• Ani...
• October 20, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "The first time I used this medication, it was great. Just now, I was prescribed Macrobid again. It took care of the bladder infection symptoms in two days. Next day, fever was 104, headache, fever high only one day, nausea, fatigue, high pulse (100), stomach pain, neck pain, muscle pain, lack of appetite. Stopped taking this med after 8 days and will never take it again."

• Zan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "The Macrobid did work for the UTI, but my, oh my, have I been having a bad time. I have been so, so nauseous since my first dose. I have actually vomited from the nausea. Severe diarrhea as well. It doesn't seem to matter what food I take it with. I can barely eat, I have no appetite and feel horrendous. I have also developed serious neck pain and aches in my arms, which can only be attributed to this drug as nothing else in my life has changed. I won't be taking this medication again, if I can help it. This has been the longest week of my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "This medication made me feel awful. I woke up every day with a bad headache, experienced nausea, dizziness, and extreme tiredness throughout the week (every day). I don't think I can finish the full week as I need to resume my life. I wouldn't take this again. However, the infection seems to be gone, so it worked for that."

• Sia...
• October 4, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Awful medication. I was only prescribed 6 tablets to take, and if I'd read on here about them, I would have stopped after the first 1. Horrific headaches straight away, constant nausea, so much so I could barely eat to take my next tablet, drowsiness where I'm bumbling about my flat constantly, heat sweats, skin sensitivity. My neck is unbelievably sore, making my headaches much worse."

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I took 3 doses of Macrobid and became violently ill, with nausea, diarrhea, the shakes, headache, anxiety, heart palpitations - you name it. I thought I was going to die. It has been awful. I'm on day 4 of trying to flush it out of my system and get my life back. Take anything for a UTI but this - it shouldn't even be on the market."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medication, Macrobid, for 5 days, 2 times a day without issues and retested 5 days later to find it cured my UTI. 2 weeks later, I had another UTI and again was given Macrobid. This time, I started having stomach acid discomfort, which escalated to nausea, body aches, and headache. I would take it with food, but 3 hours later, I’d feel sick and have to eat again. Day 4, I had swelling in my feet, so I wore compression socks, and I have drank plenty of water throughout my treatment. It basically has felt like I’ve had the flu, and the next day after my last dose, I am waiting for improvement. Everyone is different, but this med has made me extremely sick. My dr told me to stop at day 5 rather than 7 and we will test in 3 days."

• Far...
• December 7, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have never felt so badly with an antibiotic in my life. I'm on nitrofurantoin 100 mg twice a day. The first day with food, I started feeling really badly, I was chilling, shaking uncontrollably... awful headache... hands and legs became numb... nauseous, so weak. Once I laid down, I couldn’t get back up. My husband is on hospice, and I am his 24/7 caregiver. I kept trying to get up, and I felt like I was going to faint. I'm so achy all over, I totally felt like it was the end for me. I am in bed right now and can’t even get up... like I had the worst flu ever... do not take this."

• Mea...
• May 19, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I normally would write off side effects as 'everyone has a different experience, don't try to discourage others.' However, I have just finished my second day of the Macrobid dose for my UTI, and I have never in my life experienced such unbearable side effects. Within about 2 hours of my first dose yesterday morning, I started feeling extremely nauseous, weak, brain fog, and horrible vertigo. I had to call out of work yesterday and today, almost unable to make it out of bed to use the bathroom or anything. This feels worse than just about any flu I have had. Not to mention, my joints all feel like someone hit them with a crowbar. I can't take this anymore, stopping the med ASAP. I don't even care about the negative effects of stopping an antibiotic prematurely at this point. By all means, take your doctor's advice, take this if it is prescribed to you, but listen to your body!!! Call them about any overwhelming side effects, don't put yourself through absolute torture if you don't have to."

• pau...
• March 28, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I can say this medication hasn't worked for me, I still have the infection after taking the course, plus an extra course. What I did find was I became very dizzy, I got blurred vision, and nauseous. I suffer from vertigo, and this medicine made that worse, also, I got constipation and lack of appetite. So it was not a happy experience taking this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Macrobid 2x a day for 5 days for a UTI. I’m on dose 7 out of 10, and so far the worst side effect I’ve had is fatigue and mild stomach upset, but when I take it with food, that has seemed to be okay. Not bad at all! I’ve been given Bactrim DS before, and that one makes me nauseous, I’d rather be given Macrobid over Bactrim. Macrobid seems to be a gentle antibiotic with few side effects, at least for me, but everyone reacts differently to medication. I don’t tend to react much to any antibiotics in general, I guess I’m lucky! Would recommend Macrobid, as by the time I took around the 3-4 dose, I already had less burning upon urination. It works efficiently, and it works quickly! The UTI is gone, but I need to finish the last few doses so it doesn’t come back."

• pen...
• May 11, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Took this drug for 3 days. The infection got better after 2 doses. However, I slowly developed headaches and a little chills on the 2nd day of treatment. Thought I might be getting a bit of flu, so I ignored the symptoms and continued my medication. As soon as I took the last dose, my symptoms got worse. I was so weak I could hardly walk. My eyes got blurry and generally nauseous and drowsy. As I type this, I still have all these symptoms with a raised heartbeat, occasional numbness of my hands and feet. All I want is to sleep but too scared to sleep just in case it got worse. Nonetheless, the medicine does the job as it cleared my infection after two days of taking it, but it gave me a bad experience, so I'm not taking this drug again."

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Went to Urgent Care for UTI, and they prescribed me Macrobid. I had experienced severe headache, nausea, leg cramps, itching, and blood pressure is really elevated. My UTI is minimally better after having taken it for three days. Stopping it today. If I could give it less than a 1 rating, I definitely would."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I was put on a 3-day course of nitrofurantoin in April and only managed to take 3 of the 6 pills due to vomiting and feeling like I had the flu. I was put on this again recently for 7 days and spent most of the time out of work due to nitrofurantoin side effects, banging migraine on the first day and after that came the excruciating stomach pains, nausea and vomiting, extreme weakness and fatigue, cold sweats, and general malaise. I did manage to fight through the 7 days - the side effects became less manageable as the days went by, though. I congratulate anyone who gets through a week's course and is still able to go to work, as this is the second time I've been off of work due to this medication."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "Started taking Macrobid last week, and after the first dose, I felt off. I ended up leaving work early that day because I had intense nausea, chills, and general lethargy. Later that evening, it had progressed to a fever, balance issues, and it's like I had no legs under me. Took one more dose, and it was the same issues. Decided to discontinue the meds, and the side effects went away almost immediately. But that didn't help the bladder infection. I started to think maybe it was the infection that had caused all of the side effects, despite not having any now. So I took another dose this morning. You guessed it, ALL of the side effects from before. So I contacted my NP who prescribed Cipro instead. My pharmacist says that the adverse reactions are pretty rare, but I can't imagine taking the full course of Macrobid. The nausea was the worst! I honestly felt terrible!"