Nitrofurantoin and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Bay...
• February 6, 2017

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Nitrofurantoin for a bladder infection. My first day of taking this medicine, my feet and hands became so very cold, and I could not control the chills. My hands became very pale. It felt like frostbite, like there were pins and needles in my fingers. I also became very lethargic and nauseated. I also had very intense pain in my lower back. I stopped taking them. I waited a few days and I took it at night before going to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night with the same chills, numbness, and tingling in my fingers and toes, nauseated and tired. This time, I contacted my doctor, and she advised me to stop taking the medication. I won't take this medication ever again."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I have taken this medication multiple times due to UTIs. I don’t get UTIs very often, but when I do, my NP prescribes me this medication. And every single time I take this medication, I always freak myself out and start having anxiety attacks, even though I never have any issues. I am current on this medication, and the first few days my stomach was feeling blah, and I was very tired. But because of my infection, that’s what caused those symptoms. This pill rarely gives me headaches. Overall, I will always stick with this pill. Hope to have calmed anyone else who has anxiety issues like me. Everything will be okay!"

• MJa...
• July 6, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Oh wow. Worst experience ever. I went to the walk-in and was prescribed this for a “mild UTI.” I did a urine sample, my only issues were lower pelvic cramps and pressure when I would urinate (ended up not even being a UTI). I took one pill the first day and felt fine. Took the next dose in the morning, and then it all hit me. Extreme dizziness, tiredness, the most intense headache, horrible lower abdomen cramps, and a general feeling of “out of it.” By day three, the cramps got so much worse, thought I had bowel cancer or appendicitis! Went back to the clinic, and all of the touch tests didn’t indicate anything. I finally realized it was the Nitro, so I stopped taking them, and the cramps eased slightly. No more headache and dizziness after 24 hours. I still have some mild abdominal cramps and now lower back pain. My doctor said it can take up to two weeks for this medicine to work its way out of your system. Will never take this again."

• 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!"

• Mis...
• June 21, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given the Macrobid medication for a UTI. I took the first dose with food before bed and woke up feeling okay. I took the second dose that morning and headed into work. On my way into work, driving, I began to get dizzy, I thought I wouldn’t make it in. I arrived, then I immediately left work-went home with a headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and body aches. I took another dose before bed to try and power through, then woke up the following morning unable to move, again with flu-like symptoms. My doctor told me to stop taking the medicine. And I will NEVER take it again. I am currently a day and a half off the antibiotic and still experiencing nausea, diarrhea, aches, and exhaustion. It is getting much better as time goes on, but I feel as if I wasted time on a medicine that made me even more sick when I should be UTI-free by now. My stomach is still so sensitive from this, so I cannot even go back on another antibiotic yet. Still have a UTI, missed three days of work, and feeling awful."

• Kbr...
• August 29, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I'm in my 5th day of Macrobid. Really just wanted to review to ease some minds because I ran to the internet too when I was prescribed this medication (like I always do with new medicine). The only side effects I've had are some nausea/stomach upset, anxiety (I have health anxiety and was pretty shook up from the reviews, so could be that), tiredness, and my urine turned a dark yellow/fluorescent yellow. I'm 19, get UTIs a lot as I'm prone to them, and am on a 7-day course. I'm also usually pretty sensitive to medicine because I'm so in tune with my body. Basically, this drug is fine (for me). If you drink/eat before/after taking it, the nausea is dramatically reduced. I even talked to my nurse, and the majority of people do well on the medicine with little side effects (mainly upset stomach). This medicine has taken care of my UTI, no problem. By day 3, I felt normal."

• Lal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I have been prescribed this twice. The first time, I felt so unwell - chest pains, anxiety, nauseous, really dizzy, lethargic, unable to keep my eyes open, no appetite. I stopped taking it as I felt so unwell. I then got another infection and had these left over. Being a weekend, I just took them - I was fine other than chest pain and anxiety symptoms. I’ve just been prescribed them again, and after 3 pills, I’m not taking any more. Chest pain (aching and stabbing pains), feeling like I can’t breathe properly, dizzy, spaced out, nauseous, fatigued, bloated, and just ‘not with it’. Last night, I couldn’t even talk as I didn’t have the energy. I asked my husband to bring me to bed and hold me while I fell asleep as I was worried I was going to die and I needed him to call an ambulance. This antibiotic is just so awful, never again will I accept a script for this!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking this drug 5 days ago for a UTI. These reviews have me scared, and I was reading them because I felt more tired than usual. No stomach aches, no other problems, other than the UTI symptoms. Today is the end of day three, and I just woke up with severe cramping and diarrhea. I am hoping it goes away because my UTI symptoms are starting to improve."

• H R...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This is the third antibiotic in 2 weeks used for a UTI. Yes, the drug has been effective in healing the infection. However, it would not be my 1st choice. I've had muscle pain in my legs and feet, exhaustion, insomnia, grotesque nightmares, weakness, unsteadiness walking, nausea, dry mouth with a taste of metal in my mouth."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible side effects! Oh my goodness. Just 2 days on this and I had to give it up. I had to hold onto the walls when walking, I was so dizzy. I also felt like I was going to pass out and vomit at the same time, and felt hot like I had a fever. Never again. The doctor then put me on cephalexin (Keflex brand), and no side effects except a little tiredness. P.S. D-mannose is amazing at preventing UTIs. Better than antibiotics. I had just stopped taking it."

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "The doctor diagnosed me with a mild UTI yesterday and prescribed Macrobid. A few hours after taking it, I felt my brain wasn't fully functioning, very slow. After that, I was beginning to feel more and more nauseous, which ended up in full-blown violent vomiting, which was continuous for hours. Now it's the next day, and I have heart palpitations, a bursting headache, extreme tiredness, still can't hold anything down. I've never been this sick from any other antibiotic, and I only took 1 dose. The doctor prescribed me different antibiotics, I couldn't continue the Macrobid with these abnormal side effects. I never write reviews but thought to share my experience this time because of the severe side effects this medicine can have. It might work great for some people, but not for me."

• bnp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This is my first time leaving a comment on a drug on this website. I'm just here to relax anyone who gets prescribed this medication. This medicine did give me the chills, tiredness, joint pain, and nausea, but it did what it was supposed to do. Got rid of that same UTI that I had that just wouldn't go away, which is dangerous. I was given 2 rounds of Bactrim first. I felt very sick from the UTI anyway, so feeling off from the Macrobid made no difference. Be happy it isn't ciprofloxacin or any other fluoroquinolones you were prescribed, which is what these doctors try to push now when patients want a switch from the med that seems would work best after a culture test. Some of them don't know that the FDA put out warnings that it shouldn't be prescribed for conditions like this, for very serious reasons. You have been warned."

• Wee...
• July 27, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "By the end of day one (2 doses), I felt very tired. Day two, I woke up weak, fatigued, achy, but was advised to stay on Macrobid as the UTI symptoms had improved. As the day wore on (3 doses), I became increasingly tired, had no energy, a headache, a sensation of heart racing, and nausea. Another call to my provider, and they suggested I switch to Cipro. Before I could do that, an episode of nausea sent me to the bathroom. I passed out, hit my head, and ended up hospitalized. I would be very afraid of this medication, considering the other options."

• Wee...
• July 27, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "By the end of day one (2 doses), I felt very tired. Day two, I woke up weak, fatigued, achy, but was advised to stay on Macrobid as the UTI symptoms had improved. As the day wore on (3 doses), I became increasingly tired, had no energy, a headache, a sensation of heart racing, and nausea. Another call to my provider, and they suggested I switch to Cipro. Before I could do that, an episode of nausea sent me to the bathroom. I passed out, hit my head, and ended up hospitalized. I would be very afraid of this medication, considering the other options."

• pol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am 60 and taking nitrofurantoin for the first time. My urinary tract infection was totally out of control. In two days, I feel a lot better, not 100%. I feel very tired, a bit confused, like I am sleepy after getting 8 hours of sleep. I am avoiding exercise today. I do have asthma, so my breathing is more stressed from this. I had a headache and vision problems."

• blu...
• December 7, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "My profile: mid 20s, female, first time using antibiotics as an adult. Reason for using: UTI. The urgency was insane. After 3 days of chugging cranberry juice, I had enough disappointment and decided it was time to give antibiotics a go. First impressions: it works! The UTI was gone overnight. Side effects were: nausea and a low-grade fever. I also experienced tiredness, dizziness, and certain smells were weird. What helped: prebiotics like pickles, sauerkraut, etc., for the nausea, eating simple foods, and avoiding alcohol, spicy food, and caffeine, and avoiding sugar because that feeds the bacteria you’re trying to kill. Keeping well hydrated, using a hot water bottle/heated pad for comfort, and sleeping. Overall: I mean, it works, so 7/10. The side effects are manageable with the above tips, and since it’s only 5 days (in my case) for the prescribed course, it wasn’t that bad given the alternative of constantly needing to pee."

• mon...
• September 19, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Just finished 3 days of this for a UTI, and though it has worked for the condition, I feel terrible! Feel like I have no energy and like I'm going to pass out. Whole body aches! Just phoned my chemist, who told me this was quite common on this tablet, and I should feel normal in a few days. Shame it's my wedding anniversary today, as I just want to go to sleep all day. Won't take this one again, it's not worth it."

• ElT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a very painful bout of cystitis and was given a 3-day course of nitrofurantoin at my local surgery. I found no difference at the end of the treatment - still burning pain, cramping, needing to go to the loo constantly, but at least no blood by the end of day 3. My health has really gone downhill - extreme tiredness, inability to concentrate, distorted vision, horrendous constipation, and dizzy spells. I went back and was given exactly the same thing, another course. I'm on day 3 with 1 last dose to take, but still have burning pee and a very bruised bladder feeling. I feel very demoralized, especially as my old surgery used to prescribe amoxicillin, and you didn't even need to see the doctor. I can now look forward to a painful Christmas."

• OVE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "This is the most awful antibiotic I have ever used. I took it for 3 days and could not handle it anymore, it made me dizzy, lethargic, tired, very spaced out, emotional, and caused bad anxiety. Never again."

• OVE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "This is the most awful antibiotic I have ever used. I took it for 3 days and could not handle it anymore, it made me dizzy, lethargic, tired, very spaced out, emotional, and caused bad anxiety. Never again."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this Macrobid antibiotic for a UTI. It has horrible side effects, really bad. The first day I took it, I had really bad headaches. The second day, I started to feel like I was dying, no joke. I wasn't sure what was causing it, so I kept taking it. Now, today is the 3rd day, and I feel so sick I can't even get out of bed. I have had to call into work twice now because I have no energy to do anything at all. This is the worst experience I have ever had on an antibiotic."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "After taking my first tablet of Nitrofurantoin for a UTI, I began vomiting and couldn't even keep water down. After the first day, I felt so unwell and spent 2 days in bed with a fever and shaking, and my whole body was in pain. I then started with a chronic headache and a tight chest with a cough. I was utterly exhausted and felt so unwell. I've now got tingling in my fingers. I've never reacted to any antibiotic like this one and urge anyone not to take it."

• Cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a very painful UTI. I had taken it once before for the same reason but couldn’t remember how it made me feel. I was prescribed it twice a day for 7 days. This time it took a few days to begin working, and I was thankful to have also been given an analgesic to help with the pain since this didn’t resolve that. It made me feel incredibly bloated, tired, dizzy, and gave me awful stomach cramping and diarrhea. Somehow, all of this was still better than the UTI, though, and I am now 2 days after finishing the round of medication and feeling better. Overall, it seems to have its side effects, but if you’re able to tolerate them, it should be beneficial for infections."

• Lau...
• March 7, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I took my first pill of Macrobid last night, and it caused nausea, and it made me exhausted. I noticed when I was nauseous, I felt better if I ate something. It's like I constantly needed something in my stomach, but I felt miserable. I also had chills, so I'm guessing I had a fever. I'm about to eat a heavy breakfast and take my next pill, hopefully, this second dose goes okay. Otherwise, my doctor is getting a phone call first thing Monday morning."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2019

For Bladder Infection "• High dose, taken twice daily with food, for 3 days. Day 1 AM - not too bad, bit spacey PM - very spacey, bloated stomach/abdominal cramps & nauseated. Day 2 - AM - EXTREME nausea. Vertigo-ish, & “out of whack.” - PM - just felt like total garbage. Very tired, nauseated, and spaced out. Brain fog. Also, my hair has started coming out. Not loads, but if I run my fingers through it - guarantee a good few strands will come out. Day 3 AM - very tired, bit sicky, upset stomach. Oh also, these meds cause your urine to go different colors, whether it be a luminous type yellow or green, or borderline brown. That’s normal. Don’t worry. All in all, these had made me feel pretty terrible. If you can ride the infection out with home remedies, try to do so. My anxiety has been through the roof, (again, with anxiety sufferers don’t worry, you’re not dying, this is just very nasty stuff) and the side effects have been more than unpleasant."