Skip to main content

Nitrofurantoin and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 5)

Brand names: Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin

Reviews for Nitrofurantoin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • 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."

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

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
34 Report
  • 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."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • 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."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report
  • 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."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

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

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • 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."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • 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."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • 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!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report
  • 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?"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
37 Report
  • 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."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • 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."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • 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."

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

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

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • 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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • Jp3...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2025

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Urinary tract infections are nothing new to me. I get them every few years. I used to get them a few times a year. This antibiotic is nasty for me. My doctor just switched me over to a different one. It makes me feel sick to my stomach and dizzy. I’m not ever taking this one again. 2 pills a day for 5 days, no way am I getting through it."

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

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

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

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • 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."

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

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

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • Sus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 18, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "It's not nice saying don’t take this med as you had terrible reviews. It’s also not right saying amazing medication. Don’t listen to bad reviews, we’re all on here for reassurance, but we’re all different and tolerate medication differently. Me personally, I don’t like it, it makes me nauseous, blurred vision, and the worst side effect for me is the shocking anxiety I think it causes. But it works for a UTI really well, and that’s what we want really. So just remember we’re all different, and it’s quite reassuring to read some reviews so we realize others have the same symptoms."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • 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."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 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.