Azithromycin for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis User Reviews

• Ash...
• March 24, 2016

"I just want to say to people out there that are scared to take antibiotics (like myself), do not look up these silly reviews. It will only scare you more from taking them. I had to deal with strep for a month before I could actually take my antibiotic because people on here made it seem like it was the worst drug they've ever had. So far, I've had no side effects, and it's working great. My suggestion is don't try to research what other people have said about it. Try it for yourself."

• Liz...
• February 5, 2013

"I've used this medication in the past and now recently for a bad throat infection. I was given the 5-day pack. After the first day (2 tablets), I started to feel better, and slowly it's been improving every day. I did experience bad stomach side effects, diarrhea mainly, but I expected that since I wasn't eating well because of the throat infection. I took my last tablet today, and I hope that it's gone, but the symptoms have definitely improved. If you do get an upset stomach, try to take it with food. Good medication all in all, though."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2012

"This was the wonder pill for me. I was prescribed this alongside a steroid pack and told to take 3-4 regular ibuprofens for the pain in my throat. Let me say, it was VERY severe; I couldn't swallow much, hadn't eaten. I woke up the next day with NO fever and much less swelling and pain. This is my second day on this antibiotic."

• aps...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2015

"I was prescribed azithromycin for tonsillitis/pharyngitis. On day 4 with the Z-Pak and still can't eat, can't even swallow my own saliva without being afraid it will hurt. This medication is completely useless, my swelling hasn't gone down, and the pus pockets are now on the right side of my throat. I am in so much pain, haven't eaten for 4 days."

• har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

"This is my second round of 5 azithromycin tabs, not working for tonsillitis. I have had diarrhea, burning throat, and sore stomach. This all worries me because of the COVID-19. No major fever yet! I wouldn't recommend this med, to hit or miss!"

• Mat...
• December 3, 2017

Azithromycin "This is the only antibiotic that ever works for me. Whenever I have a cold and the doctor claims it is viral, it always goes to my tonsils. This time I waited 7 days, suffering fever and a throat so sore I could not swallow, and eventually went to the pharmacist and asked for Zithromax Z-Pak. Within 1 day, I was 80 percent healed. No side effects. It works for me every time. By day 2, all sinus congestion had gone and I got my first real sleep in two weeks."

• Has...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

"Woke up with chills and my throat on fire and went to urgent care the next day. I was prescribed a Z-pack because I’m allergic to penicillin. The first day I got diarrhea, the second day I got diarrhea, the third day same thing, and my symptoms worsened and seemed to spread to my left ear. I can’t sleep a full night and can barely eat. I cringe every time I swallow. I’m disgusted with the health industry and poor antibiotics."

• Jak...
• October 16, 2017

"I was prescribed a 3-day, 500 mg dosage. It got 5 times worse within the first two days, which had me scared for day 3. My throat was so swollen that I haven't eaten since Friday. Today is Monday. I have made absolutely no progress. I am 20 years old, 6'4", 220 lbs, and very fit. I usually eat 5,000 calories a day in order to stay full because I am very active. Nothing has been worse than the pain from this strep throat, and this medicine hasn't helped at all."

• Utp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

"After having a bad case of strep, the ARNP at the local walk-in clinic prescribed me Azithromycin Tablets USP 250 mg. I was instructed to take two pills at once, followed by one every day thereafter (six pills over five days). I didn't notice any improvement until the fifth pill on day four. While the swelling and burning in my throat eventually subsided, I experienced side effects. My stool turned yellow, I became drowsy, and suffered from heart palpitations. Seems like the Z-Pak is mainly hit-or-miss depending on the person."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2012

"My young son was prescribed this for severe tonsillitis. His fevers were very high. Paracetamol would bring it down, but it would be right back up long before 4 hrs were up. The azithromycin just made him sicker. He had the worst diarrhea and gas and abdominal pain, which was very difficult for an already miserable child. After 3 days, he wasn't improving and was changed to a different medication."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

"I'm taking the Z-Pak, and it started working after the first day. I already feel much better. I have had stomach cramps, but it only lasts like a minute. Overall, I'm happy and happy to get back to work."

• Con...
• April 12, 2017

"I am very allergic to a multitude of antibiotics. I have suffered with strep/tonsillitis since I was a child, every spring, every fall. The ONLY thing that works for me is the 5-day Z-pack. As others have said, please eat something first. I have been prescribed some meds that I haven't taken because of the listed side effects. This, however, has been the only thing to work for me. In fact, I am on my way in a bit to see the doctor because, without fail, the white spots and fever, chills have come on this spring too! Good luck to all."

• Eur...
• January 6, 2018

Azithromycin "Woke up with that tingle I get right as strep starts to set in. 12 hours later, I'm in considerable pain. Went to urgent care for a strep test. It was positive. I asked the PA for the Z-pak because I needed something I didn't have to take 4 times a day and would work quickly. The pharmacy filled my prescription around 10:45 pm. Took the first dose as soon as I got in my truck. It is only 3.5 hours into the first dose, and my throat is almost normal. My stomach feels a little funny, but I will take that over strep pain any day."

• Kri...
• April 29, 2016

"I was diagnosed with strep and prescribed Amoxicillin 2x/day for 10 days. I thought it worked at first, then 3 days later it came back with a vengeance. So, I was then prescribed the Z-pack (2/day 1, then 1/day for 4 days). I have 1 more pill to take till I'm finished. But, I'm not sure it is working either. The sore throat is gone, but I have a relentless cough and a ton of chest congestion. I have had mild side effects: nausea, tender stomach, not a big appetite. Still feeling really foggy and weak. I do recommend drinking either Boost or Ensure nutritional drinks while on antibiotics and taking a probiotic."

• Kam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

"On the second day of my fever, my tonsils were swollen and had white spots. No runny nose, no cough. Dr. prescribed the Z-pack. Now I'm on the third day and feeling much better - the pain and swelling have reduced significantly. For those who are suffering from viral and getting the throat swab negative, I think they cannot expect positive effects of azithromycin or any other antibiotic, as antibiotics are not for viral infections, and in such cases, antibiotics may only help in preventing secondary bacterial infections. It may also not show significant improvement for those whose bacteria are azithromycin resistant. I had taken levofloxacin and had adverse side effects - Achilles' tendon problem and peripheral neuropathy. Since then, azithromycin has been a powerful antibiotic choice for me."

• Cul...
• April 5, 2015

"Had strep throat, couldn't get to see the doctor for 7 days, extreme pain, fever, chills, couldn't eat or swallow. The doctor prescribed Zithromax 500 mg (1 tab for 3 days). After the 1st day, I noticed a significant difference, on the 2nd day, it was almost gone completely! I was feeling so hopeless before taking this medication, like it would go on forever. Zithromax knocked it out so quickly! Feeling better and back to work/normal life."

• wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2015

"I have been on this for three days now with the five-pack dose (250 mg). The first day I had to take two, and I threw them up because I had nothing in my stomach. If you take this, eat something before you take the dose. I'm on day three now, and I feel no pain, but my tonsils still look the same. Will it eventually die down? I now have a pretty bad cough, along with a lot of sinuses in my head."

• ann...
• November 18, 2017

"I went to the ER on October 19th because my throat had been hurting for about two weeks before I went. The doctor said that he thought I had strep throat. That test came back negative, but there were a few white spots on the back of my tongue. So, they gave me two shots, you know where, and said that it would clear it up. Well, I still haven't felt better. So, a month later, I went to Urgent Care, and he told me that he didn't think it was strep throat, that it's pharyngitis. So, he put me on a Z-pack for five days at 500 mg, and I'm on the fourth day now. My throat feels worse, and it has white spots on the back and on my tonsils, and I feel worse. Is this normal?"

• DCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2018

"I had what was assumed to be tonsillitis (no actual test was done). First day I just had a minor sore throat, second day was a little worse, thought I was just getting a cold. Third day was a little worse still, and I started getting white spots on my tonsils. Doctor gave me 5 days of azithromycin, which I started immediately. The spots on my tonsils got worse even with the meds, however, on day 4 of the medication, I began to see improvements. And at that point, each day got better. Because the meds continue working for days 6-10, I was not worried. It works, but it might take time - if you don't see progress after the 5 days prescribed, talk to your doctor."

• Bor...
• May 3, 2015

"After tolerating an increasingly lumpy, sore, raw, dry throat and overall fatigue for about 10 days, I finally went to the doctor. Z-pak and prednisone reduced the symptoms dramatically in 2 days. I didn't realize just how badly I felt. Taken exactly as prescribed, this was certainly the right treatment. It's working."

• Wan...
• May 15, 2022

"I had a 5-day course of azithromycin in the convenient Z-pack. The first 2 days there was no change in my symptoms, but by day 3 I started to feel better! My doctor explained that I only needed to take it once a day for 5 days, but the antibiotics are in your system and continue to work for 10 days. By day 5, my tonsillitis was better, pain and swelling gone. I also took probiotics and ate prior to each dose to help prevent the stomach issues that tend to come with antibiotics, and it worked."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2020

"Assumed to have strep throat. Symptoms are strong onset sore throat, with purulent exudate on one tonsil, accompanied by a 104 fever. No cough, no other respiratory issues. Not able to be swabbed due to COVID-19. Prescribed Z-Pak: 500 mg day one, 250 mg next four days. I have taken the first and second dose. Zero relief to date, fever is hovering between 101 with Advil, 103 without for three days now. Last time I had strep, after the first day of amoxicillin, I had recovered 80%. I would never recommend anyone take this drug for strep. Another United Health scare system failure."

• sca...
• June 27, 2009

Azithromycin "I was prescribed a 5-day Z-Pak to treat a streptococcal pharyngitis infection. After the second day, the medication reduced the swelling and throat pain, but began to cause stomach cramping and pain. By the end of the third day, the stomach pain was severe, and the doctor recommended discontinuing use. This is the only antibiotic I have used that has caused an allergic reaction."

• aut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2016

"I thought I caught it early. So they prescribed a Z-pack. Day 2, the white spots spread to the other tonsil. Day 3, stiffness in neck and still pain with swallowing. Day 4, right side skin swollen in mouth to where I could not see my tonsil. Went to urgent care and they prescribed me a different antibiotic."

• psg...
• January 1, 2016

"Finished taking meds today. It's worse, my fever spiking to 100.7. White paste is now on both tonsils. 800 mg Motrin up to 4 times a day. Neck and shoulder pain. Strep and flu swabs were negative. Seeking more treatment tomorrow."