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Original poster

Reaction to Nitrofurantoin?

26 replies

sweetie19 · 29/08/2023 15:29

I have another UTI (about the 3rd one in 5 months) which I started taking nitro for this morning.

However now I feel so sick, have diarrhoea, don’t feel like eating, shivery. I’ve never had this reaction before. Is this normal?

OP posts:
GloomySkies · 29/08/2023 15:32

Unfortunately it is completely normal. Those side effects are all listed on the NHS information page and, on a more personal note, I got to experience them for myself last week on nitro. What a treat eh. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
sweetie19 · 29/08/2023 15:33

Thank you @GloomySkies. What I am concerned about is that I’ve not experienced these side effects before. I’ve taken nitro before and this is definitely the worst I’ve ever felt.

OP posts:
welshweasel · 29/08/2023 17:13

Likely to be due to the infection, not the antibiotics!

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General health
Summerisnearlyhere1 · 29/08/2023 17:14

I've taken doxycycline and that made me feel so nauseous all day so I can well believe that it's the antibiotics that's making you feel this way. Add in the infection, not surprised you feel blegh

Seeline · 29/08/2023 17:16

I have to eat loads with NF so that I don't get an upset stomach and vomiting.
However, if you're feeling shivery, I'd be concerned that you might have a fever and it could be a sign of the infection getting worse or spreading to your kidneys. Keep a close eye on things.

weegiemum · 29/08/2023 17:16

I can't take nitro because the side effects are so bad! Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and diahorrea. Really unpleasant stuff. Hope you're feeling better soon from both the side effects and the uti.

Original poster
sweetie19 · 29/08/2023 17:55

I don’t think it’s the infection as I only started to feel really rough today. The infection was confirmed on Friday but I couldn’t get the nitro until today (pharmacy was shut on Saturday).

OP posts:
Westpoint · 29/08/2023 18:58

I developed a pretty bad allergic reaction to nitro on either my 3rd or 4th time of taking it - projectile vomiting, really bad hives all over etc. I refuse to take it anymore for fear of an anaphylactic reaction and it's listed on my medical records.

Gilead · 29/08/2023 19:04

Dd can’t take it, hives and vomiting.

Blueroses99 · 29/08/2023 19:07

I’ve had NF lots of times but there was only one time I had the symptoms that you described and it was when I had a kidney infection rather than a standard UTI. The infection had travelled further up.

hope you feel better soon

headcheffer · 29/08/2023 19:10

Given your infection has had nearly 3 days to develop further since being confirmed before you started treatment, I would say it's more likely that your infection has worsened and would suggest you speak to a GP.

sanityisamyth · 29/08/2023 19:16

Are you taking it with food?

Original poster
sweetie19 · 29/08/2023 20:12

Yes am taking it with food.

Managed to eat some dinner tonight and took it right in the middle.

I feel totally exhausted tonight as well - is that normal?

OP posts:
sanityisamyth · 29/08/2023 20:32

Exhaustion is likely the body fighting the infection as well as dealing with the side effects of the meds. Keep on taking them - the SE should settle down a bit. If they don't, talk to a pharmacist who should be able to help manage side effects. An IP may be able to switch you to a different abx if they feel it's appropriate and effective.

Investinavest · 29/08/2023 20:55

When I first took it I assumed the bone-aching tiredness, aches and fluey feeling (after a few days of taking it - was on a 3 month prophylactic course) was the kidney infection.

When my chest felt tight, I became wheezy and started coughing up white foam, I reluctantly made a GP appt - GP took one listen and sent me to a hospital with a suspected pulmonary embolism.

My d-dimer was off the scale but there were no beds and no one to scan me on a Friday afternoon. They sent me home with heparin and scanned me on the Monday morning - no clots to be seen. Went back to GP and was given erythromycin for suspected pleurisy. I finished the 3 month course of nitrafurantoin.

When another kidney infection popped up a year later, I was given nitrafurantoin. Within 2 doses I was fluey and coughing up white foam again. Went to GP reporting potential side effects - only then then did we link up my strange episode of invisible blood clots, so it's on my true allergy list (not just sensitivity).

Coincidentally my late DM couldn't take it either, but she got awful hives - neither of us had any sickness or diarrhoea. I would ask for something else!

Motherofalittledragon · 29/08/2023 22:01

I took Nitro for the first time last week, sickness and diarrhoea and generally felt awful. Hope I don't need them anytime soon again.

eurochick · 29/08/2023 22:43

I found the side effects worse than the infection!

Original poster
sweetie19 · 31/08/2023 19:13

So I’ve got one more left to take (was only a 3 day course).

I felt a lot better yesterday and fine this morning, but since 3pm today I’ve felt incredibly nauseous again. Could this be the nitro again?

Can you take anti-sickness meds with nitro?

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetie19 · 31/08/2023 19:23

Anyone got any advice? I feel really rough 😢

OP posts:
HuwEdwardsBottom · 31/08/2023 19:43

It made my wee a radioactive yellow colour but apart from that I was fine.

Bananaman123 · 31/08/2023 19:45

My partner had to take this and it made him feel awful, in bed for days.

aquietlifeplease · 31/08/2023 19:47

I get this when I take it and no get anti sickness meds along side it. Horrible medicine but does tend to get rid of stubborn infections.

Thewrongdress · 31/08/2023 20:14

I am allergic to it. Had a bad reaction after one dose. I felt as if I had really bad flu. It is documented in my medical records now.

Original poster
sweetie19 · 31/08/2023 20:43

Just taken a Metoclopramide tablet. Fingers crossed

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetie19 · 01/09/2023 08:01

So now I’ve been prescribed co-amoxiclav for a week, but I’m terrified to take it incase it makes me feel sick again. Should I take a probiotic with it? I am starting to think this might be thrush too…..

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