Nitrofurantoin and Weakness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I don't usually comment on Internet threads, but I have to say, if you have been prescribed this drug, see if it works for you before being scared away. There are reviews saying to avoid at all costs and reviews claiming zero side effects. All well and good, but the only way to know which way it will work for you is to try it. I was prescribed it this week and have taken two pills so far. I won't be taking the rest. I've spent the night feeling nauseous and have woken up this morning with stomach cramps, a bad headache, weak arms, hot flushes, and fatigue. I feel weepy and sick, and I just want to go back to bed...which is kind of impossible because I have an 18-month-old. Incidentally, her night was disturbed (we're still breastfeeding), and I can only assume it's something to do with the antibiotic because the crying and screaming was very out of character for her. I'd say try the drug, and if you get side effects, jack it in and ask for something else. I won't take this again."

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "First dose: weakness, fatigue, mild nausea, headache. Second dose: weakness, fatigue, fever, moderate nausea, chills. Third dose: EXTREME nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, chills and hot flashes, chest pain, diarrhea, literally felt like I was going to die! Finally realized it was the medicine after the third dose. More intense side effects immediately stopped when I didn’t take the next dose, but it took me three days to recover from the loss of fluids and feeling weak. My doctor switched me to a different med and felt literally no side effects. Will never be taking this ever again no matter how many UTIs I get in the future."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2018

For Bladder Infection "After the 2nd day of taking this medicine, I became feverish and was shaking terribly, and the muscles in my legs and arms were so weak. I couldn't stand on my own two feet, and I am an avid walker. I was vomiting and couldn't eat. I took it for 4 days, and by then I was totally frozen - couldn't move at all. The pain in my body was horrifying. I thought I was a goner. I knew I was getting dehydrated. I tried to drink enough water. I finally stopped the meds. Three days later, I took a trip to the hospital in an ambulance because I couldn't stand, my vision had gone horribly wrong. I got to the hospital, and they said it was the side effects from the meds. All they did was give me fluids and a bag of antibiotics, and then sent me home, and today, 6 days later, I'm still having trouble standing on my feet. Not happy."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am 70. I tried natural treatments for a UTI, but I still had some discomfort and tested positive with Azo test strips. I have had two days of Macrobid, and the headache, nausea, weakness, etc. is making me feel awful. So, here I lie in bed at 4 a.m., unable to sleep. Not sure if I can hold out to see if this med clears the UTI."

• Kri...
• April 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm 18 and have had on-and-off fevers from my UTI and was told I would start to feel better after a couple of days on the medication. I felt absolutely terrible, with my fevers getting worse, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, night sweats, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle pains, and an overall constant feeling of weakness. After 2 days of feeling like absolute garbage, I called the nurse who prescribed it, and she said I don't have enough dosages in me yet to start feeling better, so I kept taking it, thinking the side effects were symptoms from my UTI. A day after that, I no longer had the constant urge to pee, but I still had all the same side effects that I first had and continued to have on-and-off fevers. I could not keep my eyes open at school. If I hadn't looked up other people’s reviews, I would have kept feeling like I was crazy. I haven't been able to work out and have had to miss some school. Grades have worsened just in the time I've been on this, and I still feel like garbage. Stay away from this!"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "No one should be taking this drug. I was prescribed this for a kidney infection when I have chronic kidney disease on 4/22/21. I will be alerting the doctor who prescribed this that they nearly killed me. Was prescribed a dosage of 100 mg 4 times a day for 7 days. Took it till 4/27/21. Made me feel like I was dying with extreme chills and fever, excruciating back pain, whole body aching, diarrhea, abdominal aching, gave me asthma and filled my chest with fluid, was very weepy, extreme anxiety, difficulty walking - felt like walking through cement, dizziness, retained fluid, and dropped my kidney function significantly. Was too sick to realize it was the tablets until the last day, stopped them, and went to another doctor on 4/28/21, who wanted me to go to the hospital to go on IV, etc. Stopped taking the tablets, started a different antibiotic yesterday, 4/28/21, and have started to feel better already."

• kuq...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "This med is not for me. It causes very bad side effects. Tight chest, cough, difficulty to breathe, temperature, headache, and weakness. I'm not going to finish the treatment. Never will take it again. My UTI symptoms got better only 50%. It's so sad."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible medication! After only two doses, I had severe joint pain in my hips and knees; felt extremely weak, and flu-like symptoms came on strong. I immediately called to be changed to something else. It may help with UTIs, if you can suffer through, but I was not willing to. I can’t imagine how horrible I would have felt had I continued the recommended 7-day treatment. I will never take this medication again."

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please do not take this medicine. I wished I would have looked up the reviews before taking this. I asked the doctor if it had any known side effects, and she told me no. I have taken this drug for five days, and on the last day, I experienced weakness, my whole body felt like a dump truck was on top of me. The second day, I experienced chills, headache, hives, fever, and increased heart rate along with the weakness. I went back to urgent care and was told I just have a virus, and when I told her to look up the side effects, she said, well, maybe it is the drug, but I'm leaning towards a viral infection and told me to go home and take Motrin. Here I am still feeling awful and about to go and see my primary care doctor."

• Pil...
• June 25, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took the first pill, and symptoms went away. The second pill, I started getting tingling and burning in my back 4 hours after taking the medication. The second pill made the back symptoms go away but introduced an intense pressure in my bladder and pelvic area. 4 hours later, it went away, then the back pains started again, and 10x worse. My spine had sharp spikes of pain in it. I was rushed to the ER and was told to stay off the pills. They didn't know what caused the reaction (obviously they can't admit it was the pill) and sent me home with some Ativan to relax my body. I stopped for 2 days, and the spiking pains are still in my back and spine on and off. I also felt weak and lost feeling in my legs. Be careful, if you see symptoms, stop right away. Do not risk!"

• JLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Macrobid, a 7-day course for a UTI. Was fine at first, but by day 5, started to experience nausea and gas. Continued meds, but after day 6, I was so sick I had to stop. Weakness, joint pain, uncontrollable shivering, and fever. Shortness of breath. Thought it was the flu. Didn't take the med for a day, started feeling better. Resumed the med and again so sick! Have taken many different antibiotics and NEVER had any reactions. Won't take this again!"

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Only discovered side effects of nitrofurantoin after taking this twice. The first time I thought it was just my body, but after taking the drug 6 months later, the same thing happened after I stopped them. Extremely sore, stabbing pains in my chest, very bad reflux pains, weak and tired. Last time, side effects lasted 6/7 weeks. This time, I'm on week 3 this time and still sore. Definitely avoid this drug."

• 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."

• Ela...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is not a drug to be taken! I took one pill, and after about 8 hours, I was deathly ill. Fever 102.7, bad chills, sick to my stomach, chest pain, hurting shoulders and neck, dizzy. You name it, I thought I was dying. I should have gone to the hospital but didn't feel like moving. After nearly 2 days, I finally started to feel better. Just really weak and not back to normal. Do not take this medicine... trust me. Please, I have been sick with many medicines but not like this."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took two tablets on the first day, all fine. The following day, I woke feeling extremely ill, feeling sick, then being sick violently for hours to the point of vomiting bile for several hours. It was a warm day, and I was wrapped up in bed with blankets and thick socks as I was shivering and freezing cold, however, I felt red hot. I couldn't get out of bed for 24 hours, got up for one hour, and that was a struggle. Pounding headache where I resorted to taking something for it, which I never take medication. I felt dizzy within 10 hours of taking the last pill. Sickness subsided, but I felt so weak and burning hot. I stopped taking this antibiotic, never again going to the doctors to tell them not to give me this again. It was awful."

• Kja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "This medication made me so weak, nauseous, and made my chronic migraines worse. I won't ever take this again. I can't wait until Friday when hopefully the symptoms will disappear since Thursday is my last day on it."

• Ane...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "Absolutely horrible. I also, as someone here mentioned, never experienced any side effects from drugs until I took this one. First dose was okay. Second dose, I started feeling very nauseous to the point I was very sick. I haven’t even been this sick when pregnant! Bad diarrhea and feeling weak. I started thinking what it was as the symptoms of the UTI come on suddenly, and I was perfect prior to it. I stopped immediately, and today feeling much better but still weak as after having the flu. Bad stuff, DON'T TAKE IT!!!!!"

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Given the large number of negative reviews, I wanted to share my positive experience in beating a UTI with nitrofurantoin. I was taking it twice daily for a week, and on my first dose, I had painful left side abdominal cramps, weakness, and chest pains that kept me up nearly all night. I read the reviews here after the pain started, and I almost didn't continue taking this medication because of the horror stories. However, in the morning, I noticed that my symptoms of urinary frequency and pain were already reduced from just the one dose. So I decided to continue on, and I'm glad I did! I had no side effects aside from discolored urine after the first night. I suppose the first dose pain was just my body getting used to it! By my third dose, I had no UTI symptoms, and by the end of treatment, it was gone entirely. Success!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Do NOT take this medication! I was prescribed this for a UTI. After taking just one tablet with food in the evening, I woke in the night with an excruciating headache, breathless, unable to walk, aching all over, and unable to move out of bed. This lasted a full 24 hours. Never am I taking this medication again, the side effects are horrendous."

• Kba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2018

For Bladder Infection "I’m 24 weeks pregnant and got a very mild UTI. Doc put me on this, and all was normal until the second day. I was so, so tired. But just thought it was pregnancy in general. Then I got a weird vaginal odor, which was weird 'cause I never had that with the last pregnancy. So obviously it’s the medication. It also makes your pee bright yellow. As for stomach aches, yes, I get them, it’s like morning sickness all over, but not as bad. Also feeling weak. But I finished the pills and feel better."

• Bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was on Cipro, only 6 pills, but after taking the last one, I still had UTI symptoms. Was prescribed Nitrofurantoin, can't tell if it's working since I've only taken the first capsule, but the side effects are horrible! All day I had one of the worst headaches ever! Felt weak, fatigued, and diarrhea. Will call the Dr. today to find out what I can do."

• Qiu...
• September 19, 2021

For Prevention of Bladder infection "Just have to urinate frequently, Dr. gave me this antibiotic. After the first dose, I felt my heart pounding fast and wanted to throw up. After the second pill, I had all the side effects. So weak, chest pain, numbness in both arms, and low blood pressure. Ended up staying at the ER. Doctor checked everything he could check. Everything is back to normal. Before this medication, I was a healthy human being at age 20. Now it has been 8 days. Still feel so weak and have low blood pressure. DO NOT TAKE THIS! I already reported it to the FDA and hope to help more people."

• Rad...
• October 16, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "After 4 days out of 7, twice a day, I quit taking it for two days and then resumed once a day. I had developed severe lethargy and dizziness and red splotches on my hands. Weakness disappeared within a day but then returned when I resumed. There must be an alternative out there."

• Jp7...
• December 11, 2016

Nitrofurantoin for Urinary Tract Infection "My husband passed a kidney stone and was diagnosed with a UTI without being given a urine test to identify bacteria. After taking nitrofurantoin for 4 days, we went to urgent care as the chills and fever, along with headache, confusion, loss of appetite, and weakness, didn't go away. He was told to stop taking it as it was a drug to target 2 types of bacteria and given Cipro. The chills, fever, sweating, and headache haven't gone away even after stopping this medicine. We may end up in the ER if symptoms don't subside. I don't recommend this drug."

• sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never in my life have I taken such awful medication. Side effects after 1 tablet were headache, pain in eyes, dry mouth, sore throat, racing heart, insomnia, swollen hands, weakness like I'd been run over by a bus, depression, crying, anxiety. I carried on hoping things would get better, but after 3 capsules, the remaining 3 went in the bin. Never ever will I take these again."