Women’s health · FAQ
What side effects can nitrofurantoin UTI treatment cause?
Short answer
Nitrofurantoin UTI treatment can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or headache. It may also turn urine dark yellow or brown, which is usually harmless. Serious reactions are possible. Get urgent help for trouble breathing, facial swelling, chest pain, yellow skin or eyes, or severe or bloody diarrhea.
Common side effects of nitrofurantoin include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache. Taking it with food may help with stomach upset. Urine can turn dark yellow or brown during treatment. This color change alone is usually harmless, but report it if you also have yellow skin, pale stools, or abdominal pain.
Rare but serious reactions can affect the lungs, liver, nerves, or blood. Seek urgent medical care for a new cough with fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, yellow skin or eyes, or new numbness or tingling. Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as throat swelling, trouble breathing, or fainting. Do not take another dose while seeking care for a suspected serious reaction.
Severe, watery, or bloody diarrhea can occur during or after antibiotic treatment. Contact a clinician promptly rather than treating it yourself with an anti-diarrhea medicine. Tell your physician about side effects that persist or make it hard to take your prescription. This is not a complete list of possible reactions.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
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