Nitrofurantoin and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ano...
• October 29, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed 7 days for severe bladder infection. Made me very tired, bothered my stomach and quit it after 3 days. Had a scratchy throat on the 3rd night, restless sleep. Was in bed all day on the 4th day. Then started getting a cold, head cold on the 5th day and at bedtime, could hear crackling in my lung/chest area. Never had that before. Will never take this again. Hoping no damage done to my lungs."

• Cho...
• June 27, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Nitrofurantoin 3 separate times for UTIs. The first time, it cleared up the infection immediately. The 2nd time, I accidentally left the last two pills behind at a place we stayed, so I wasn't able to complete the prescription. The 3rd time, it cleared up the infection after two days. Each time, I was prescribed 100 mg, 2 tablets a day for 7 days. The only side effect I had was that it made me a little more tired than usual. The relief it brought was amazing and very soon. I would ask for it again, as the Sulfa was resistant to the bacteria I had. Also, I didn't have any other side effects besides slight drowsiness."

• Lau...
• September 18, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Still trying to figure this stuff out. I took my first dose of 100 mg 2 days ago, and it was terrible. I immediately had diarrhea and fell into a state of what I can only describe as delirium. If you review side effects, it lists both weakness and drowsiness - just know that you may experience these 2 side effects together and to the most extreme. The next day, I was so afraid to take it that I skipped the dose. I am recovering from recurrent UTI and a recent kidney infection, though - so decided to buck up and deal with it. Tonight, the side effects weren't nearly as bad. My thought is that over time, your body will adapt and side effects lessen? I am still very lethargic and tired, though. My advice is to take it right before bed and also take it with a lot of food. That's what I did this evening, and my experience has been better, although still not enjoyable. At least I am sleeping well :) I'll add that I've never ever had this crappy of a reaction to any medication, especially an antibiotic."

• Lau...
• September 18, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Still trying to figure this stuff out. I took my first dose of 100 mg 2 days ago, and it was terrible. I immediately had diarrhea and fell into a state of what I can only describe as delirium. If you review side effects, it lists both weakness and drowsiness - just know that you may experience these 2 side effects together and to the most extreme. The next day, I was so afraid to take it that I skipped the dose. I am recovering from recurrent UTI and a recent kidney infection, though - so decided to buck up and deal with it. Tonight, the side effects weren't nearly as bad. My thought is that over time, your body will adapt and side effects lessen? I am still very lethargic and tired, though. My advice is to take it right before bed and also take it with a lot of food. That's what I did this evening, and my experience has been better, although still not enjoyable. At least I am sleeping well :) I'll add that I've never ever had this crappy of a reaction to any medication, especially an antibiotic."

• Lot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have had bladder infections in the past but never came across nitrofurantoin until now. I'm glad that it's an antibiotic that just targets the bladder itself and doesn't clear out your whole body. I took 40 mg 4 times a day for 3 days. I felt a difference in my infection within a few hours. The first two days, I struggled with nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, and feeling tired. It also made my pee a different color, which were all expected. But it did pass after 24 hours. They also were compatible with my SSRI Citalopram tablets as well. I would say that the symptoms are entirely different for everyone, but for me personally, they worked well, and the side effects were worth going through to get the results I wanted. The more you drink with these antibiotics, the better. I find that a warm water bottle helps ease pain and restlessness with the infection."

• 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."

• sus...
• August 15, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "The first day on nitrofurantoin for a UTI, I felt fine. On the 2nd and 3rd day, I felt like I was dying. The worst anxiety and panic attacks ever, not to mention the diarrhea, cold sweats. I feel weak and tired. I decided to stop last night. The worst antibiotic I've ever taken by far."

• Day...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on day two of taking this. I have had very mild side effects. Slight headache and sort of feel tired and out of it for a little bit, but it seems to go away. I have not had the bad side effects that others have mentioned and always take it with some food and have been drinking lots of water to flush my system out. Everyone is affected differently by meds. If you have not had this antibiotic before, then I would not let others' reviews scare you. If you have problems after taking it, then call and talk to your doctor about it. Even though the pharmacist said I could drink alcohol moderately, I plan to stay away as that could aggravate the side effects and it also dehydrates you, which will do nothing but aggravate a UTI."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "If I could give Macrobid a score of a negative 1 million, I would! Because of this antibiotic, I have been sick for 4 days. Had to take a trip to the ER and had 2 bags of IV fluids put in me and a chest x-ray. All for a simple bladder infection. As soon as I took the first pill, I was instantly sick. I ended up taking 3 of my doses and stopped. I have chest pain, nausea, headaches, and very tired. Bladder infection gone in 24 hours, but I’m sick as a dog. I’m so angry this pill was prescribed to me. By the looks of it, I don't think it should be on the market!!! Do not take! Drink some cranberry juice."

• 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!"

• Caz...
• December 22, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have been prescribed a course for 4 days of this antibiotic. Took 3 doses yesterday and felt a little off but manageable. However, today I have felt horrendous. Dizzy to the point of nearly passing out. Hot and cold chills. So tired it's untrue and general scariness to go to sleep because of feeling so bad. Awful medication."

• lem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2022

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Not going to lie, the first 24 hours of taking this sucked. I felt absolutely exhausted and like I had the flu. But then I felt so much better. Like others, I was terrified to take this. But it really did work for me. The first day of suckiness was worth getting the UTI to go away."

• Bin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Prescribed 100 mg twice daily for 3 days to treat a urine infection. Worked after the first dose, however, side effects were almost immediate and unbearable: chills, aching muscles and joints, lethargy, but inability to sleep due to restlessness in painful legs, trapped wind, and stomach pain. It cleared the infection but left me feeling horrendous. I have one tablet to take, and I am actually frightened to take it. I felt so ill this morning that my sister took me to an urgent care center, but they didn't believe it was a side effect of this drug. I know it is. My urine was clear, so no longer toxic from the infection."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Upon my 1st and 2nd dose, I was lethargic. I could barely keep my eyes open. I had nausea and just all around didn't feel right. But it helped with my UTI after the first dose. On my 3rd dose now and not feeling the past symptoms... though my tummy has been very bloated throughout taking this med. I don't know if I'd take it again, considering these side effects."

• den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I just had a course of Macrobid, and I can honestly say I have never felt as poorly. I had a raging fever, temp 39.03, palpitations, and chills. Loss of appetite and exhausted. I didn't finish the course and feel better 48 hours later. I wouldn't recommend these tablets to anyone."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2018

For Bladder Infection "In the UK, we often still get trimethoprim prescribed, this does nothing for me except make me feel sick. A few torturous days later, I'm now on my dose of nitrofurantoin, and despite the mad lethargy, which you need to remember is partly your body's reaction to fighting an infection, my symptoms are instantly more bearable. People need to remember that whether antibiotics will work is dependent on which bacteria you have, and these bad side effects written about here, albeit awful, are uncommon. Please don't let these reviews put you off if offered this."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "My experience with this medication has been absolutely terrible. I’ve had bad stomach cramps, terrible diarrhea (I never get diarrhea), shakiness, extreme tiredness. I will never take this medication again once I’m done with my dosage."

• And...
• July 30, 2016

For Bladder Infection "My score is based on how well it's treating the infection itself - burning, back pain, and urgency are gone 48 hours after starting this drug - first-time user with a clearly defined bad infection based on urinalysis at the hospital -- don't need Azo anymore, still downing cranberry and water, and tip: eat something even if your appetite is gone. Bad news, I'm exhausted, nauseous, dizzy, and drained. I can live through the side effects, not so sure about the infection - very effective, strong, targeted, bacteria-killer, and I will complete the entire protocol as directed - the temptation will be to stop taking it, I will resist the temptation. I will, however, bow to the temptation to sleep all day. Takeaway - it's a trade-off."

• Ale...
• June 5, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Terrible experience with this med. I had side effects of exhaustion to the point of being unable to move and major stomach upset. Had to switch to Bactrim. It might be fine for some people, but I had an awful experience. Didn’t even help my UTI either."

• mbe...
• June 7, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Day two taking the antibiotic and feeling tired and depressed. My hands feel icy. I missed work because of the depressed and tired feeling. I will never take this drug again. I feel like I've been poisoned."

• Ten...
• November 13, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Been taking this medication since last Mon. Never ever felt so ill in my whole life: constant headache, nausea, so lethargic. Only two left to take. I will never take these again. I have continued with them as Dr. prescribed, but yes, UTI has cleared. These tablets have severe side effects."

• Sue...
• June 14, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "BEWARE: I’m glad that some of you had a good experience with Macrobid. It does seem to be really good for a stubborn UTI. My UTI is better after 3 doses; HOWEVER, after dose 2 (with food), my hands and feet swelled and began to have significant joint pain. Then came leg pain, bad back pain (kidneys?) and a headache in the back of my head. Became SOOO tired and weak. After dose 3, crazy, out-of-control chills, increased weakness, and hours of inability to take a good breath. All night long I had terrible trouble breathing, could barely walk to the bathroom. Was in bed for 18 hours. Got up for 5 hours feeling only slightly better and went back to bed for 12 hours. Now day 3 since first dose, and I can’t do anything. Breathing is better, but now diarrhea has set in. Just beware of the beginning of symptoms so you can be prepared to stop taking it."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am 45, and I am currently taking Macrodantin to treat a UTI. Never have I ever felt so bad taking medication. I initially thought my body was fighting the infection, but it wasn’t the case. I am now taking the medicine (4x100mg/day). I feel very tired, very dizzy, I have diarrhea. My breathing is not great, and I feel a bit confused... definitely not myself. Also, pains in my fingers... I can't wait to finish the treatment tomorrow. On a positive side, the infection seems gone as urine is clear."

• Kat...
• July 26, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Well, like so many others, I have to say I had extreme nausea for 3 days while taking this, followed by a day of vomiting. I called my GP, who told me to stop it immediately. I have never had a reaction to antibiotics before. On the other hand, after taking just 3 doses on the first day, the burning pain and need to urinate was gone! I also took 400 mg ibuprofen for the flank pain. So yes, it did work very fast at targeting my UTI symptoms, which was great, but it left me lethargic, feeling terribly sick and throwing up after 3 days of doses. Worth trying if you are experiencing a severe UTI, but not as a first try!"

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this nitrofurantoin antibiotic for two days. The second day, I woke up exhausted... felt like I had a low-grade temp with chills... figured it was still the UTI. I was exhausted all day. The second night, I was up every hour with severe muscle cramps in places I've never experienced before. I am used to some cramping in the night... and one little cramp pill takes care of it right away. I took a few cramp pills and it did no good. I've stopped the medication altogether. It's the weekend, so hopefully I won't be making myself worse, but it's too scary to continue."