Nitrofurantoin and Vomiting: What Users Say

• Sad...
• February 25, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG!! After taking my second dose, I developed VIOLENT vomiting, diarrhea, severe body aches, extremely high heart rate, low oxygen levels, and shortness of breath. Fever, chills, an inability to move with severe fatigue. It’s now 42 hours after my last dose and I am better. We are in a pandemic and having all these symptoms sure did scare me. I do NOT EVER recommend this drug to ANYONE! Horrible! I’m obviously not the only one. I wish I had read the reviews before I took this Med!"

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "Was put on Macrobid when my yearly physical lab showed a slightly higher WBC in urine. After 2 doses, I began with chills and fever. I had three days of 104 temp, nausea, and vomiting, even water would not stay down. As a senior adult living alone, I feared the need for IV and hospital treatment but would not go due to Covid. I called my doctor back and was told to go get tested for Covid. They offered no other reason for my ills. I did my own research and took myself off of the drug. 24 hours later, no chills, fever is normal, no vomiting. This was like poisoning my body. Never again! My daughters had similar experiences also. Be aware if taking this drug. I do not think it should be on the market."

• Ast...
• September 24, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid was the worst antibiotic I've ever taken. I have never had a UTI, and when I saw my doctor, she prescribed Macrobid 2x daily for 7 days. I have taken plenty of antibiotics in my lifetime and have never had any significant side effects. Within 4 hours of taking Macrobid, I had terrible diarrhea for about 2 hours. After that, I was nauseous to the point of vomiting (and I never vomit). No medication has ever made me this sick before. I had chills, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting all within the first 12 hours. However, I know you're not supposed to stop taking medications, so I took my second dose, and the symptoms proceeded to the point of not sleeping at all overnight. I stopped taking it the next day, and my symptoms resolved completely. I went back to my doctor and got a different antibiotic that I had no problems with."

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I have had recurring UTIs for 5 decades. I've been on Macrobid for a couple of years. I've found it does help prevent the kidney and bladder infections with few side effects. The side effects I do have are: darkened urine, diarrhea occasionally, nausea and dry heaves occasionally, dizziness occasionally, and peripheral neuropathy on occasion. Now, I know you would think that these side effects would deter someone from taking this drug, but for me, those side effects are better than having bladder and kidney infections for 6 months at a time. For me, Macrobid is the lesser of the two evils. Living with the infections is worse than these few issues."

• MN2...
• July 21, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "It worked really well to clear up my urinary tract infection, and within a day I had no symptoms; however, I was so tired while I was taking this! I also would get a feeling of nausea quite often and occasionally would make me vomit. I took it on a full stomach, but still got the feelings of nausea and fatigue."

• ATa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed nitrofurantoin as a seven-day course for UTI. Was careful to take with food and expected maybe some nausea. OMG, what a horror story. I can't believe this drug is legal. Started with mild nausea and indigestion. Got worse with each dose and each day. Vomiting, diarrhea, head spinning, pounding headache. Felt so ill I thought I had COVID-19. Yes, it's dealt with the UTI, but I currently (end of day 4) feel like I'm dying. Am speaking to the pharmacist tomorrow, begging to be allowed to stop this awful medication."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I'm so glad I found these reviews, but I wish I'd seen them before I took nitrofurantoin. After 3 pills, I started to feel really nauseous and vomited up any subsequent pills. I developed chest pains and trouble breathing. I stopped taking them immediately. Even so, I spent the most uncomfortable night of my life waking every hour. I had to sleep on my back because if I lay on my side, my chest hurt really bad. I couldn't get warm even with piles of blankets and the electric blanket on to warm the bed, and I was shaking and shivering. I felt like I had the worst flu ever. Today, I haven't been able to do anything and alternate between lying down and sitting as I have a really bad headache. I can't eat anything as it brings the nausea back. I'm with everyone who thinks this drug needs banning. It's poison. I usually don't react to drugs."

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

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "As other people have said, this is also my first time leaving a review for any prescribed medicine. I went to my UK doctor as I was having flare-up symptoms of a UTI. I was prescribed Macrobid (6 capsules to be taken over 3 days). I am pretty annoyed I didn't read these reviews before I took the first dose because I probably wouldn't have bothered, or I would have stopped taking it immediately and not continued thinking I just had a flu-type bug! I haven't had the dizziness other people have described, but that is probably because I haven't left my bed for 3 days! I have had vomiting, headache, the worst aches and pains in my back and legs, and generally feeling like I am dying! I am so angry about it as I have had to cancel some seriously important meetings, thinking it was just an unfortunate illness, and now I think it's this poison. Not happy!"

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Macrobid for a UTI. Within 12 hours of my first dose, I had extreme body and muscle pain from my ankles to my shoulders. I am 100% aware that many people can take Macrobid and be fine, I'm just relieved to read that some other people went through what I did for the simple fact that I thought I was dying! The morning after I started taking the meds, even my lungs felt bruised. I was too weak to hardly even walk. I returned to the doctor and totally thought they would hospitalize me. He wrote me a new script and sent me home. My mother and husband took turns taking care of me until I stopped vomiting and writhing in pain, which in total took days. I couldn't eat and even couldn't take care of my small children for two days."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2020

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Macrodantin was an utter disaster. Felt that I was getting better, then suddenly I had a raging upper urinary tract infection. Fever, nausea, vomiting, terrible pain. I had to be hospitalized with IV antibiotics. This drug is dangerous and should not be used as it gives a false sense of security."

• Ash...
• November 22, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Okay, I never ever post on review boards, but with all these high-level ratings for this drug, I just had to speak out. This drug is poison, literal poison. I'm only on my second dosage, and it feels like my body is shutting down. Right this moment, I am vomiting every ten minutes, my head hurts constantly, and my body is riddled with chills and shakes. I have followed the doctor's directions to the tee, taking it with food and all of that, and it still has made me feel miserable. Yes, it has healed my UTI almost instantly, but now the rest of my body is suffering and breaking down because of it. Please seek other options before taking this medication. Please, I beg you, this is a very strong, dangerous drug."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "Macrobid was prescribed by the practice nurse for UTI, more specifically for a kidney infection. 100 mg twice daily. I took one tablet, and within 1 hour, I was fighting to breathe, suffering severe rigors and a temp of 40 deg. I was turning blue around the mouth, neck, and chest. I was unable to speak, but fortunately had read the contraindications and was able to point to them to my wife. An ambulance was called and arrived some 30 mins later. During this time, I vomited twice, and the breathing difficulties continued, as did the rigors. Paramedics decided that I needed to be hospitalized. I was admitted to the COVID-19 ward as I was displaying at least 2 symptoms. The hospital team was brilliant, released at 4 am, not COVID! Appropriately, medicine prescribed. Scary!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This medicine was absolutely horrible for me. I had extreme diarrhea, with nausea and vomiting every time I took it, and I had to take it 2x a day. The abdominal pain it caused, no matter how much food or water I took with it, was the sharpest pain I’ve ever felt, like 7/10 on the pain scale. I lost weight and was severely dehydrated."

• chr...
• July 23, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am 11 wks pregnant, and after my first OB/GYN appointment, they called me with results that I had a urinary tract infection. I was shocked because I didn't have any symptoms other than pressure by my bladder, which I was relating to the pregnancy. I was prescribed 100 mg of Macrobid x 3 days, taking 1 capsule every 12 hrs. The first night I took it a couple of hours after dinner and went to sleep. BIG MISTAKE! I woke up vomiting, ate a bagel right away, and took the second pill. I felt nauseated all day, tired, and had a mild headache. The remaining pills I took directly after a full meal and felt a little better. If it wasn't for the medicine only being for 3 days, I don't think I could've taken it any longer. I just kept telling myself that if I don't finish it, a UTI can be much more serious."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2024

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This was the first and last time. I took the first dose, and 3 hours later, I was in full despair, vomiting nonstop every hour. Gut-wrenching vomiting, mind you. Full body sweats, chills, couldn’t stand. I had to have my mom come stay the night with me because it made me that sick. I have never experienced such awful side effects. Never again."

• Njc...
• June 30, 2014

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "Took this med after the pharmacist said to take it with a small snack, I agree with those who say a full meal. I also woke up this morning and threw up, not sure what that was. Now I am sleepy and missed a day of work. Antibiotics have not had this effect on me, just hope it gets better. I am also nauseated but trying not to think about it, or I may be visiting the throne."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Took the first 2 Macrobid pills, started running a fever of 101, headache, vomiting, could barely function, felt sicker than I ever have. Worried that the infection had gone to my kidneys. Never been to the ER in my life, but decided to go because I was scared. Tests all came back normal. Sent me home and said to finish my course of Macrobid. Felt better when I got home (about 12 hours since the last pill), was finally able to eat, took the next dose of Macrobid. Shortly thereafter, I was violently ill again. The next day, after close to 24 hours since the last pill, I started feeling better, was able to eat. That’s when it dawned on me: drug side effect. I found sites like this where people had the same experience. The next day, the hospital called to check on me. I told them what I discovered; they said they had never heard of Macrobid causing this reaction. Bottom line, I got sick after taking it and got well after not taking it. My symptoms match the manufacturer’s list of side effects. What else am I supposed to think?"

• Ano...
• October 31, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "I had this tablet prescribed to me to take for three days, twice a day, to prevent bladder infection. The tablet made me go yellow, vomit, lose my appetite, and generally made me feel really bad. I still have a bladder infection, so I wouldn't recommend it."

• Jai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "Macrobid definitely works. I had a terrible bladder infection that I noticed began to clear up within a few days of taking this antibiotic. In my personal experience, though, I had terrible side effects: nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and hot and cold sweats. Although the week felt so hard to get through, please don’t be scared to try the medication. If you’re worried about side effects, make sure you are staying very hydrated and taking it with food. I would recommend having some Gravol ready as well, just in case. Good luck."

• LPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I cannot overstate how much I despise this medication. It may be effective in getting rid of bladder infections, but I never got that far. I used this medication twice (I gave it a second go, thinking my previous experience might've been an anomaly). Wrong. Within 2 days, each time, I had severe flu-like symptoms. They included: chills, mild fever, muscle aches all over, sharp pains in my stomach, severe nausea, vomiting, pounding headache, and extreme fatigue. I was told to take with a meal and drink lots of water. I felt like I was drinking 2 gallons a day...until I couldn't drink or eat anything without throwing it up. I stopped taking it the second time, after 3 pills, and it took 2 full days (and lots of Tylenol) for my symptoms to subside."

• 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."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2015

Nitrofurantoin for Prevention of Bladder infection "Prescribed Macrobid after misdiagnosis. 2nd day, I was yellow, vomiting, dizzy, weak. Hospitalized at hospital emergencies. Took doctors one week to confirm Macrobid was the reason for my liver failure. Almost lost my life."

• 1Gr...
• January 9, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Bladder Infection "I took Macrobid for two and a half days and felt sick. Plus, I'm scared of anything that poses a risk of side effects that are a mile and a half long. Macrobid made me so sick that I ended up at the ER with swollen lymph nodes, a stiff neck, nausea, a migraine that caused eye pain, vomiting, and chills. I felt poisoned. My sister wanted to stay with us because she was so worried about me. I was sick for three days in bed. Never, ever again. I'm only seeing naturopathic doctors and a Chinese medicine doctor unless it is life or death."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Prescribed this nitrofurantoin for bad cystitis with blood in my urine and took 2 doses spaced out on the first day with food (Tues). Took the morning dose on the 2nd day, again with food, but by the afternoon I was unbearably nauseous. Started vomiting Wed afternoon and evening and had a temperature. Couldn't even sit up because I felt so sick. The doctor came out to me and told me to stop taking the tablets as I was getting side effects, which he said affect a lot of people. He tested my urine and the infection had cleared up already. Wed evening I had loose stools, and all day yesterday (Thursday) I was pooing water. Friday morning now, and I've passed about 10 water poos already. Three days of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after only 3 tablets of this stuff. I'll report back when it ends. Still feeling awful right now."

• 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."