Nitrofurantoin (macrobid) and vit b12 deficiency

[Job387]

Hi all,

I recently had a 3 day course of Nitrofurantoin (macrobid) for a UTI. The gp also requested routine blood tests Which have today indicated Serum Vitamin B12 levels below the threshold- 169 ng/L

Range:187 - 883 ng/L

Does anyone know if macrobid can influence your B12 levels?

I am going to call my GP tomorrow, but it would be helpful to hear your experiences.

Thanks!Charlie

[fbirder]

Here's a discussion we had four years ago.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Nackapan]

So with that information can you not just take some b vitamins and extra b12 and then repeat blood test in 3 months?

[deniseinmilden]

I had terrible folate depletion with Trimethoprim (also prescribed for UTIs) which took about 8 months to rectify so do be wary of that one!

Nitrofurantoin made me feel generally terrible, with hideous nausea and vertigo for a few hours after taking each tablet, but although I couldn't do anything, I could sleep and "avoid" it that way.

After a few hours I could get up and go back to work. The problems improved as the course went on so could have been more as a result of the toxins given off by the E. coli bacteria that were causing the infection, as they died.

I SI with plenty of B12 every day and that was OK. I needed to take extra folate to counter the vertigo and I took an extra multivitamin and mineral supplement to counter lock-up of other B vitamins but otherwise it was OK and I felt it was more "lockup" of vitamins than depletion of them because it was short-lived and everything soon went back to normal once I stopped taking the tablets.

I had a curious "side effect" in that it hugely improved my absorbtion of other vitamins and minerals for quite a while after the courses I have had, leading to suggest that some of my malabsorption is possibly due to SIBO - and this may also account for how dreadful the first tablets made me feel as there were so many bacteria dying and releasing toxins as they did so.

Everyone is different and I know other people who take them without issues.

[Job387]

Thanks all for replying. I get really worried with abnormal test results! Apparently the doctor will call me on Thursday as thats when the one who is dealing with my case is next working. Bit annoying but will just have to wait!

[JanD236]

I was prescribed a 3 day course of this for a UTI. It was late in the day when I had the phone consultation with the doctor and even later when I picked up the medication.

As soon as I got home and read the patient information leaflet I phoned the pharmacist to ask if I should take it in view of both PA and that I take eye drops for glaucoma which were also mentioned in the PIL. I’m not confident he really looked into it but said I should be fine. As I was in agony and I didn’t want to wait another day I decided to go ahead and take it.

I’m pleased to say I had no adverse effects of which I’m aware and it certainly sorted out the UTI quickly. However, I’d definitely ask for a different antibiotic next time.

[MattdL182 in reply to JanD236]

At the time of taking the antibiotic, did you already have pre existing neuropathy? And did it not worsen those symptoms?

[JanD236 in reply to MattdL182]

I have mild discomfort in the soles of my feet which I mostly only notice at bedtime if my feet are hot. I didn’t notice any change in this.

[Whoa182 in reply to JanD236]

Do you mean like a burning sensation? I have something like that, especially during the night. Glad that it didn't get worse while you took it! That's encouraging to hear.

[JanD236 in reply to Whoa182]

Yes a prickly burning sensation which I mostly only notice at night. If the weather is very warm I need to put my feet on a cold water bottle otherwise it feels very uncomfortable.