Azithromycin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Sinusitis "My 10-year-old had a right ear infection and was prescribed azithromycin. He took the first 2 pills, which totaled 500 mg, and within 30 minutes, he was vomiting, having diarrhea, and chest pains. We took him to the ER, where we were told there was at least a 5-hour wait and decided to take him back home and give him a lot of liquids to try and flush this out of his system. My advice: don't give a child 15 and under more than 250 mg."

• spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2018

For Chlamydia Infection "If you’ve just gotten to this site, stop reading reviews. It’ll make you anxious, and you may panic like I did. Eat before taking this, let your stomach settle maybe 30 minutes, and then you should be okay. Went to sleep shortly after taking it and slept through the night without problems. Side effects are very mild, I would compare the nausea to drinking water a bit too fast, but not like you’re going to be sick. If you can, take probiotics, drink kombucha, or eat yogurt. It’ll help with the diarrhea if you have any. Me being emetophobic had a complete fit after reading reviews, but I’m perfectly fine. If you can’t bear the nausea, buy Emetrol. Don’t stress, you’ll be okay, just rest and take it easy."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2011

Azithromycin for Bronchitis "I took a full course of the 250 mg 5-day pack with no ill effects except for a metallic taste in my mouth, but then the bronchitis came back, so I was prescribed the 500 mg 3-day course. On day two, I got severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. I am not going to take the final dose because, although the bronchitis is better, I can't deal with the intense stomach discomfort."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2014

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "Took the 4 capsules by mouth at once, and within 40 minutes, I am having chronic stomach pain, extreme nausea, and 2 trips within 15 minutes to the toilet with diarrhea. I rarely ever feel side effects to any medication I’ve ever taken, and this hurts like the dickens. I have yet to actually throw up, but I am using all the power in me not to so I can make sure the medication stays in my system to cure the infection. If this does cure the infection like it should, then it’ll be worth it. This is the most miserable I’ve ever felt, and if I throw up, I hop, hop here comes bathroom trip number 3."

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2009

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "I started the pack on Sunday and experienced diarrhea and mild itchiness. I'm on my last day, and I'm feeling really good. This medicine seemed to work very well. I was hesitant at first, but it seems to clear things up very well."

• Elc...
• February 14, 2017

For Sinusitis "Sinus pressure and infection, got Zpack for the first time ever. One week later, and my sinuses are still clogged, headache lasted 5 days and feels like it will reoccur. Diarrhea every day. Tried every single homeopathic way to beat this feeling. Still can't sleep well, and my nose runs. This sucks."

• DC ...
• December 11, 2012

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed a 250 mg Z-Pak for bronchitis/upper respiratory infection (which I'm sure was viral, but whatever). I experienced horrible diarrhea starting on day 2. After 4 pills, I gave up and called my doc, who told me to discontinue use. Guess I'll add this to my list of allergies."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Z-Pak was given to me during a walk-in care visit. Seven days after starting, my condition has not improved. I experienced several side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, fever, sweating, and more. The worst of all is the loss of appetite caused by the medication. I have only had about two days' worth of meals in the last five and still cannot stomach a full meal."

• No ...
• December 14, 2016

For Sinusitis "I have chronic sinusitis, so I usually treat it with nasal/sinus rinses (saline) and good basic hygiene. But occasionally it gets bad and stays bad for 7 or more days, in which case a run of antibiotics always helps. I use the one-pill-a-day-for-three-days Azithromycin, as it always works and is most convenient. No side effects, and I usually start feeling better after the second day. I try to avoid doing this too often, as I'm aware of bacterial resistance issues. I've learned over the years to know the difference between allergies, colds, and bacterial infection, so I don't overuse or abuse the antibiotic. I've never had the diarrhea or stomach cramping described by some."

• Jsm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Absolutely never again! I took the 3-day Z-pack (azithromycin) for an upper respiratory infection, and on the 3rd day, it tore up my intestines. It's been 2 weeks, and I have gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and it didn't do anything for my infection! I have Crohn's disease as well, and I was in remission, but now, thanks to this medication, I'm going to have to start on my steroid medication again to get my stomach issues under control. I feel like I've been poisoned, period! I can't give this medication a rating of 0, or I would."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2018

For Bronchitis "I've been taking antibiotics for bronchitis. It had been about 3 days now, and I feel much better. The only thing I don't like about this medication is I've been getting bad diarrhea. Besides that, I really haven't been getting any other side effects."

• Ngu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2020

For Bronchitis "I have taken this azithromycin for my cough and sore throat for 4 days now, but I still cough so much. I feel like my chest swells up and hurts every time I cough. I stopped taking my last pill and go back to see the doctor today. Side effects: 1 night sweat, followed by diarrhea."

• N_A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was told to take a dose of two 500 mg azithromycin pills, 1 g for a bacterial infection. Took the double dose at about 2 pm with food. I got diarrhea about 3 hours later. It was not too bad. The next morning, I felt I had slept longer than normal. By midday, I had an increasingly bad headache (I am attributing it to this med since I've never had a headache like this before or taken the antibiotic) and reduced appetite. The headache was above the ear, mainly on the left side. Took 500 mg Tylenol and decided to tough it out. On the 3rd day, the med seems to be working as it reduced swelling and pain. By midnight on the 3rd day, the headache is mostly gone. No diarrhea, and it actually helped me breathe better as it reduced phlegm."

• Rog...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2020

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "I’ve taken this Azithromycin Dose Pack twice a year for about fourteen years for sinusitis and never had a problem with it, always worked great without any side effects. When I started taking it this time around, the headaches were so bad, and the diarrhea and loose stool are unbelievable, so after four days, I’ve stopped and won’t take the last pill, that’s how bad the side effects are this time. I know one day more for the last pill would be silly to stop, but I just can’t handle the side effects any longer. The brand that the pharmacy gave me this time is a different brand, so that may have something to do with it. The pharmacy I used for years has closed down, so the other one has different pills or brands for the same meds. I’ve always said a pill is just a pill, and it doesn’t matter what brand it is, but after this, I changed my mind completely on that."

• Rog...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2020

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "I’ve taken this Azithromycin Dose Pack twice a year for about fourteen years for sinusitis and never had a problem with it, always worked great without any side effects. When I started taking it this time around, the headaches were so bad, and the diarrhea and loose stool are unbelievable, so after four days, I’ve stopped and won’t take the last pill, that’s how bad the side effects are this time. I know one day more for the last pill would be silly to stop, but I just can’t handle the side effects any longer. The brand that the pharmacy gave me this time is a different brand, so that may have something to do with it. The pharmacy I used for years has closed down, so the other one has different pills or brands for the same meds. I’ve always said a pill is just a pill, and it doesn’t matter what brand it is, but after this, I changed my mind completely on that."

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "After having unprotected sex with two different men in one night (I do NOT recommend), I figured something bad would happen. After finally going to the doctor because my vag felt inflamed and swollen, I was diagnosed with chlamydia and given azithromycin. After taking it on an empty stomach (again, would not recommend), about an hour later, my stomach was hurting so bad. I also got hot flashes and my pulse elevated, but I was graced with no diarrhea, unlike others on here. I decided I was not going to deal with it anymore and forced myself to sleep and woke up feeling so much better in the morning. Hopefully this did the trick and I'm cleared of the infection. NEVER having sex again."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Bronchitis "Had a terrible, phlegmy cough for well over a week and finally went in and was prescribed a Z-pack. Very happy with the results. Feel much better and have minimal side effects, just a bit of diarrhea. Just a tip to anyone taking any antibiotics: take probiotics with your antibiotics, as they also kill the good bacteria in your stomach."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2023

For Sinusitis "Pretty standard experience. I took two pills a day for subacute sinusitis (relapsed a week after amoxicillin). Cleared my sinuses and low-grade fever pretty quickly, but I did experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, and some palpitations (not sure if it was Zithromax or my anxiety). I was afraid of taking it at first because I read about some scary side effects, but for me, it was nothing out of the ordinary for an antibiotic, and that sinus infection wasn't going to fix itself. If your doctor prescribed, don't be afraid, sure it has some side effects, but which drug doesn't?"

• Tfs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Works very quickly, just don’t try to fart! Cause it isn’t a fart! Diarrhea kicked in after the first double dose. I have IBS and PTSD, so my gut is a roller coaster most times, so I recommend probiotics two hours after taking. Good luck, everyone."

• Gio...
• August 6, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "This is the second time I've had to take a single dose of 1000 mg of azithromycin. The first time was Zithromax, and today I took the generic version. Both times I had pretty much the same experience: I had some pretty painful cramping and bloating within 1 hour of taking it, and 2 hours later I had to rush to the toilet. After the first time on the toilet, I felt a lot better, I literally felt like my entire digestive system had been cleaned out. After another 2 hours, I was on the toilet again, not as bad as the first time. All in all, I'm giving it a rating of 10/10 because let's face it, a bit of diarrhea for getting rid of chlamydia is a small price to pay. If anything, I'll be making sure I never have to be in this situation again."

• Nor...
• March 18, 2021

For Chlamydia Infection "The largest inconvenience about this drug for me was trying to read everyone else’s negative review before I took the 1-gram dose, and I had anxiety about it for HOURS before I realized taking this will do good. The only side effects I had from this drug were some watery stools and some intestinal noise. Whoever is reading this, you’re probably scared to take it because you never have and wanted to know. Unless you have heart problems or other medications known to react with this: it is safe to take, and for the love of Odin, take it with a lot of food and water. Friends of mine once had to take it too, and they said they felt no different. You will be alright. You may experience stomach issues and nausea for a little bit, but all in all, you will survive. You got this! I gave the medication a 7 because, again, anxiety over all of the horror stories."

• CTs...
• April 6, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed the 500 mg pill 1x a day for 3 days (for my sinus infection). I took pill #1 at 2 pm with my lunch. By 5 pm, my stomach started to gurgle and groan. By 6 pm, the diarrhea started. It was awful! I say it's a nightmare second only to the colonoscopy prep kit I had six months ago! I must've been on the toilet 6x in an hour and a half. I was cold, shivering, nauseated, and exhausted. I'm absolutely not continuing this treatment. :("

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2020

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "I had pharyngitis and chlamydia, which was a double whammy. This is my second time taking these meds. The first time, not really any side effects, but this time, when I was on my last pill to take, I had terribly bad vomiting and diarrhea. Couldn't even keep water down. The next morning, I puked after drinking water, went to sleep, woke up, and felt better. Drank water again and am getting that pit feeling again. It did cure everything, though. This is to be continued..."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "Almost a week with a major ear infection, went to see a doctor on a promise to 'wife' (I'm a man, I deal with it - last time I had an ear infection was when I was a teen). Taking 1 card of 6 tablets, 250 mg tab, azithromycin. I was a little leery of the product because it was made in India (oversight by FDA?). Overall, only drawback first day had diarrhea, the meds did the job. Felt much better after finishing treatment."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2018

For Bronchitis "I had bronchitis and a sinus infection. This cleared my sinus infection in two days, and I'm on my last day of antibiotics, and my cough is almost gone, too. No more coughing up green. I tend to get the rarest, most horrible side effects from medicines, but not too bad with this. I'll say it's a very potent antibiotic with universal uses. When I took it on an empty stomach, I experienced a slight upset stomach. On a full stomach, no issues. I did experience loose stools with a foul smell. I 100% would take it again for these issues. Benefits outweigh the slightly annoying side effect for a handful of days."