Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• Lco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "So I never ever leave reviews or comment on things, but this I just had to. I’m on day 13 of my medication, and let me just say I still feel like I don’t want to take my last dose tomorrow. The taste in my mouth by far has been the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. It feels like I literally have the pill stuck in my throat, causing the taste to linger all day. Nothing I do takes the taste away! I did have the first 4 days of treatment go really bad for me with severe stomach pain, it was so unbearable that my kids almost called 911. I was literally going to give up on these pills by the 1st day, but what kept me going was knowing I was getting rid of this bacteria in my stomach and, of course, my kids' motivation!! Good luck to everyone who has this. As much as you want to quit the medication, remember there are better days coming after we are all done with this. Just know you're not the only one going through this... prayers up."

• Bar...
• November 16, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Can echo pretty much every review here. I feel horrible on this H. pylori combo of amoxicillin/clarithromycin/lansoprazole. My side effect symptoms are my mouth tastes just awful, headache, upset stomach, nausea, waking at all hours to extinguish the rancid taste in my mouth. Within 2 hours of my first dose, the taste was like something had crawled into my stomach a few years ago and stayed there. Felt better at day 4, but day 5 I feel absolutely horrible again. It was comforting to read my experience is normal at least. If you need this treatment absolutely take a probiotic with it! Taking probiotics lessens side effects like diarrhea, gas, and yeast infections. I see a few people who didn't have many side effects saying the awful reviews are exaggerated. They most certainly are NOT. Everyone is different. Please don't minimize the experience of others just because you got lucky and didn't have it as bad. I'd say my side effects are moderate or even sometimes mild compared to the worst they could be, but people are absolutely not exaggerating!"

• Lia...
• October 1, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I went through all the issues as everyone else at the beginning of Sept 2020. After 3 visits to the ER, I was diagnosed with gastritis. I was prescribed pantoprazole and took it for about 2 weeks. I was still having stomach aches and was scared to eat for those 2 weeks, so I decided to see my family doctor. She ordered blood work and an H. pylori test, which came back positive. I was given the 14-day triple therapy treatment, taking it 2 times per day. I was terrified to start because of all the bad side effects I read about here. I'm now on my 8th day out of 14 days and the only side effect is a nasty taste in my mouth - nothing else. I'm feeling better, watching what I eat, and I'm happy I decided to take the treatment. Each person is different, different bodies have different reactions. Good luck, everyone!"

• Shi...
• August 24, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Diagnosed with H. pylori and am put on medication, 2 antibiotics and 2 nausea acid reflux medicines. Day 1 of taking the medicine, I felt so nauseous and weak. Day 2 was headaches, feeling not myself. Then it started going downhill with side effects, the metallic taste in my mouth, nausea all the time, literally from day 1 have been feeling nauseous. The headaches slowed down by the 10th day. On Day 5, I felt like I couldn't do it anymore, I was crying because I was feeling miserable. I tried to negotiate if I could stop my medicine, but my H. pylori pain motivated me to keep pushing through. I had a constant unpleasant taste in my mouth and acid reflux, weakness, could not keep much in my stomach, and I did not dare lay on my stomach or I would throw up. Also, I noticed my stomach bloating and sometimes it spasmed, if that makes sense. Anyway, I'm on day 13, and I can't wait to be done with my medications. I thought I was the only one going through it, but I feel okay knowing my symptoms were not crazy."

• Par...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2020

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I don't normally share my experiences or leave reviews on anything, but I thought I'd share in regards to the Prevpac because I'm living through a nightmare. The worst thing is the bad taste in my mouth. I know it sounds like a very small side effect, but imagine the taste in your mouth after vomiting bile and times that by 100. There's also the drip taste in the back of my throat. I feel like I'm constantly holding puke back. I'm on day 3, and I'm very tired and feel extra weak. I've tried eating crackers, but no such luck in helping me out. I did, however, buy a lot of hard candy and gum, which helps a lot. I wake up every hour or two during the night to chew gum or suck on a candy. These drugs are no joke. I wish everyone luck."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was a bit shocked when I picked up my prescription to see what is in a Prevpac, it was amoxicillin, clarithromycin, lansoprazole all neatly packed in blisters. I called the specialist and asked for confirmation that I had the right stuff. To my chagrin, the answer was 'yes'! It had to be taken for 14 long days. How I had to take it was one lansoprazole 30 mg, two amoxicillin 500 mg, and one clarithromycin 500 mg, and I had to do that twice a day. The next day after starting the regimen, I felt fine. I scorned myself for being apprehensive. On the 2nd day, the dreaded aftertaste started and is still here, accompanied by lightheadedness, like being on a bender but without the fun. 9 very long days to go. But if after all the pills, I never get a repeat of what caused the problem in the first place, it will be well worth the misery. I am in the old age category, so if the reader is also, I hope this paragraph helps to make the experience a little less lonely!"

• Cb1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2014

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm currently on day 11 of Prevpac. I was very nervous about taking it after reading horror stories online. The first day I was very nauseous after taking it in the morning. That afternoon I purchased some probiotics, and they have been a huge help! My only side effect is a bad taste in my mouth, but chewing gum helps with that! I feel great now, but I'm excited to be done with the meds in three days. I've been having stomach issues for three years with no definite answer until finally a doctor tested me for H. Pylori, and it came back positive. Prevpac really isn't that bad. I highly recommend taking probiotics, though!"

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm now on day 3 of my triple antibiotic treatment, amoxicillin/clarithromycin/lansoprazole, for H. pylori. I was first diagnosed with H. pylori infection 6 months ago, but I refused treatment because I was asymptomatic. Once the symptoms kicked in, I decided to be brave and take the treatment. I've had the nasty taste in my mouth and a short bout of diarrhea. The worst part for me is the fatigue. I can barely keep my eyes open! I also have very little appetite. I try to take tons of probiotics (kefir, yogurt, and kimchi) all day in between my pills, and they are helping a lot. I'm bloated and exhausted, but I feel positive that I'll make it through the regimen. Good luck, everyone!"

• Suf...
• September 12, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Hang in there, everyone, on this triple treatment for H. pylori. I just finished my 14th and last day yesterday. It was a horrible experience! I gained 3.2 lbs the first week, and I was eating my usual Weight Watchers healthy food. The only thing was I had no energy to exercise and had a few extra fruits! I still have that horrible taste in my mouth and still have pain even though I'm done with the meds, ugh! After my Weight Watchers weigh-in today, I couldn't stop eating. Even though I had lost 1.9 lbs of the weight I gained last week, I couldn't stop eating, I just wanted to make the taste go away! I now have to wait one month before doing the breath test to see if it's gone, and I pray for everyone, including myself, that we never, ever have to do this horrible treatment again."

• SAT...
• September 24, 2013

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm usually very regular, so when I started experiencing stomach discomfort-bloating, constipation, lots of gas-I headed straight to my doctor. I did indeed have H. pylori and was given the Prevpac 14-day treatment. After reading what seemed like pages of negative reviews and side effects, I was hesitant to start the regimen and made a deal with myself that if it didn't work out for me, I'd go toward a more holistic route. I'm on Day 13, and overall I had a positive experience. The first few days I was fatigued, and that eventually went away. I did get a bad taste in my mouth after an hour of taking the medicine. I'm regular again and feel much better. I also took probiotics and cut out sugar, dairy, and gluten, which I think helped as well."

• Mur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2016

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "First of all, believe that the doctor had evaluated and decided that this drug has more benefits than the side effects for you. Every medicine has side effects. I completed my 14 days of Prevpac today. I was having unexplained upper right stomach pain and sometimes diarrhea once or twice a week. Initially thought it's gallstones - but ultrasound confirmed it's not. All blood work was normal. Upper endoscopy did not figure out any ulcers. Finally, did a stool test and confirmed the presence of H. pylori antigen, and I was recommended Prevpac for 14 days. I had a few side effects: headache in the evening, mild stomach cramps, bitter taste in my mouth (specifically in the morning). I'm feeling perfect now. Be positive, and that supplements the med."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Day 14, and I'm done with the protocol! At 62 yrs old, I never experienced anything that even resembled acid reflux, which brought me to my knees during the 3-4 am for several days. For temporary survival, I was able to block the symptoms with Zantac. Then my endoscopy results showed positive for H. pylori. So even with the consumer reviews of serious side effects with two weeks of antibiotics, I had no choice with such horrific acid reflux. Fortunately, I was extremely blessed during the 14 days of antibiotic treatment with only periodic bad taste and dryness in my mouth. I was careful in daily diet to avoid any greasy, fatty, spicy foods and always to complete a full meal before ingesting the antibiotics and the lansoprazole twice a day. I suppose it's hardly worth mentioning that I never drank any alcohol or took other prescription drugs during the 14 days."

• Mah...
• July 18, 2011

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Today is my 5th day of taking the medication. I too was worried about taking it after reading some horror stories regarding the side effects. I am happy to say that so far the only side effects that I've experienced are a little tiredness the first day and the bad taste in my mouth, which I've noticed that I've experienced more in the middle of the night upon waking for various reasons. All in all, I am pleased, other than the fact that I have to take them for 14 days. Good luck to all!"

• so...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2013

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I've had some stomach pain, but nothing like before I was diagnosed. The taste is getting really bad in my mouth - I'm on day 7, but I just keep drinking water to get rid of the taste. It's like a zingy, metal taste, raw like I burned my tongue on coffee. I do have cramping about an hour after taking, but then it goes away. I have more bowel movements, but I assume it's just the meds working. It's almost over. Hopefully, I never have to do anything like this again. I'm no longer tired, groggy, no energy - I feel fantastic - I had no idea it was the infection making me so ill."

• Aun...
• December 14, 2009

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on day 4, and the stomach pain has not subsided, being H. pylori positive. The drugs put a terrible taste in my mouth. Even during sleep, the bad taste wakes me up and makes me want to gag. I've been eating lemon drops and candy to help keep it washed back down."

• mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I am on both clarithromycin and amoxicillin for 14 days for H. pylori. I am almost halfway through. I had a horrible taste in my mouth every morning waking up, and it would last until about lunchtime. The taste to me is like when a pill dissolves on your tongue before you can swallow it quick enough. Mouthwash doesn’t help, brushing doesn’t help, it's in your saliva. The meds can block zinc absorption I read, so I started taking zinc on the fourth day. Still woke up with the taste the next morning. Last night, the fifth night, I took two 50 mg zinc. The taste was much better this morning and gone pretty soon after waking up. You don’t want to take the zinc until at least two hours after the antibiotics, I read, to avoid affecting the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Oh, I also kept an applesauce pouch next to my bed so when I woke up in the night, I could get the taste out of my mouth and go back to sleep. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2017

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I tested positive for H. pylori with a value of 2.07. Everyone's comments were so helpful. I was searching for side effect information on these treatment medicines, and I didn't find anything on it. I read your comments, and I'm glad to find that the symptom in my mouth is common. I'm on day 2 of a 14-day treatment, and I'm experiencing a nasty bitter medicine taste in my mouth! It's horrible and never goes away. I literally sleep with mint gum in my mouth because I just can't stand it. I was about to hit the dentist, thought it had something to do with a mouth infection."

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "This is day 4 of my treatment, and let me say day one will be the hardest, in my opinion. My mouth started tasting weird, and my heart was beating so fast, and I was just sitting down. I just wanted to let you know that it's normal. Something that helped a lot is to take the little pill and then, in 15 minutes, eat any kind of yogurt (I like the Oreo one and the flip), and then after another 15 minutes, take the other pills. It helps a lot with the taste and stomach pain. Now that I'm used to it, I just need to remember to take it."

• Cmb...
• August 10, 2015

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was a little nervous about taking this after reading some horror stories online. The first day I had some burning in my stomach and nausea, but then I started taking a probiotic an hour before the AM and PM antibiotics, and that helped amazingly well. The only side effect I suffered for the 2 weeks was a bad taste in my mouth (a little like metal). The Prevpac worked for me. No more stomach issues. I just recommend taking a probiotic. It really helped!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "The bitter taste in my mouth! Omg! I've taken Chinese herbal medicine in the past, and those are known to be bitter. But this is a different ball game! I'm only on my 2nd day, and I've been eating all sorts of sweets to try to keep the bitterness at bay. The bitterness is most potent around 2-3 hours after taking a dose and lasts for hours and hours. Finally, when the bitterness is pretty much gone, it's time for the next dose!"

• Nek...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2020

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was diagnosed with HP and am on day 6 of treatment. I have extreme insomnia, a very bad taste in my mouth all the time, no matter what I do, have stomach pain and gas I can't seem to pass, did have diarrhea on the first couple days of treatment but now constipated. I want to feel better soon."

• Lak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2014

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on my day 4. It's making me feel dizzy, tired, and fatigued. This is bad enough, but the worst is that it tastes bitter and wakes me up a few times because of that. I drink water, but the bitter taste does not go away."

• Dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Was diagnosed with H. pylori and given amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and omeprazole to take for 14 days. First day, my only side effect was extreme fatigue. Second day, no side effect except a headache. By the 5th day, I started to experience diarrhea. That was my only side effect and the bitter taste in my mouth off and on for the rest of my treatment. I did do as others mentioned and took a probiotic between doses. Make sure you remember to throw away your toothbrushes and buy new ones after treatment! All in all, treatment wasn't bad. Don't let other people's experiences scare you."

• AKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was diagnosed with H. pylori after visiting the laboratory because of a mild stomach upset with heartburn. I am on my third day of treatment with the 14-day triple antibiotics taken twice a day. The only side effects I've experienced so far are a bloated stomach, a bitter taste in the mouth, and reduced appetite. I initially thought, 'I am not going to bother, I don't have any symptoms. Why should I take so many pills?' On second thought, I decided to start the dose after reading about the outcomes of delayed treatment. Cancer and ulcers? Better take the medication and get it over with."

• Tam...
• May 27, 2013

Amoxicillin / clarithromycin / lansoprazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on day 8. No stomach issues except mild cramping every so often, maybe once a day for a couple of minutes. The worst part for me is the disgusting taste, and like others, it is waking me up, it's so nasty. Also, starting yesterday, it feels like my tongue is on fire. I pray that after I complete the Prevpac, I never have to do it again. I am miserable."