Azithromycin and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Cov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

Azithromycin for Pneumonia "Went to the hospital because of fever over a week and pain above my navel. They x-rayed my chest and told me I have double pneumonia and most likely COVID-19. I have finished the entire Z-pack (azithromycin) now and feel worse every day. Doctors ignore my complaints. Diarrhea, fever, dizziness, chills, and the worst pain in my chest I have ever had even when not breathing deeply. However, they still won’t test me for the virus. I don’t have any more meds and my doctor said not to come in for a follow-up because I could get others sick. I am in mandatory quarantine with my family. I hope I don't die."

• Spi...
• April 7, 2010

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "I've used Zithromax 6-Packs for years to treat chronic sinus infections. They always work and have virtually no side effects for me. I have noticed that I need to take the treatment twice for a persistent sinus infection. Usually, one treatment does it. Azithromycin is the ONLY antibiotic that does NOT give me terrible side effects such as stomach aches, cramps, headaches, dizziness, 'brain fog'."

• Bec...
• May 26, 2014

For Sinusitis "This is my first time taking a 6-pill pack. I have used regular azithromycin for sinus infections before with great results. This infection knocked me out. After being sick for a week, I needed help. I started hallucinating because I couldn't breathe or sleep. So I gave in and went to the ER. I cleared up right after the first dose. By dose 3, I was breathing without wheezing. I'm going on day 4 and I can finally sleep. Ahhh, sleep is great. I did get dizzy, and there was a nasty taste in my mouth, and I did have a few loose stools, but all in all, I would rather put up with those small side effects and be able to sleep."

• Ste...
• August 6, 2014

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Took away my ear infection but gave me nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heart palpitations, anxiety, shortness of breath, diarrhea, dizziness, etc. So not worth it. I was less sick before starting this medicine."

• ane...
• January 12, 2010

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Had a terrible sinus infection. Got on a Z-pack. It takes until day 3 before you really start feeling like it's working. The pack continues to work 10 days after you finish it. I had no tummy problems like I have read on other postings, but I do make sure to eat yogurt every day when I am on any type of antibiotic. The probiotics in yogurt can keep you from getting loose stools. The one thing that I did notice this time was some dizziness. Never before had that with taking a Z-pack. It was not severe dizziness, but enough to make me wonder."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2015

For Sinusitis "My symptoms of sinusitis grew rapidly over 24 hours before taking this antibiotic. I started out with allergy symptoms, only on my left side. Eight hours into it, I had a pounding headache, and my face and nose hurt really bad. I suffer from anxiety and had a bad experience last year while taking over-the-counter cold/allergy meds, so this year I was definitely not going to medicate myself up and decided to go to the doctor. My doctor's visit was on the second day of being sick, and I was full-blown with what I thought had turned into the flu. Coughing was mild and mostly because I was dizzy, so I felt nauseous and would cough. Chills, sweats, shakes, worst headache ever, nose and face hurt so bad. Took 2 pills, felt better in 5 hours."

• Kay...
• March 3, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "Yep. Got the positive and took the prescription as soon as I could after getting it from the pharmacy. I ate a little before, but ate my lunch after taking it. Exactly 2 hours later, everything hit me like a wall. Stomach cramps, dizziness, nausea, and the dreadful stomach bubbles. Currently in bed waiting for it all to subside. Hopefully, this will work."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "Worst experience ever. Do not take it before bed if you want to sleep. Took 2x500 mg azithromycin pills at 9 pm. At 11 pm had worst cramps, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and diarrhea 3 times. Managed to fall asleep at 1 am. Suffering was horrible. Please use condoms and don't trust any guy that says he was tested. What everyone says is true and worse."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2019

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "The nurse gave me two Zithromax pills to take for chlamydia. An hour later, my stomach was killing me, and I had diarrhea! I can’t even finish my meals, halfway through my meals, I feel nauseous. I am also very bloated, and I get headaches, dizziness, discharge, and itchiness! Use a condom! You don’t want to go through this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2015

Azithromycin for Middle Ear Infections "Woke up due to severe vertigo. Diagnosis of otitis media (at 43? Haven't had an ear infection since I was 13). Doctor prescribed a Z-Pak (Azithromycin 500 mg Day 1, 250 mg days 2-5). The vertigo decreased by Day 3, but never completely subsided. The second morning after finishing the Z-Pak, the vertigo was back in full force, and my ear started to ache. Azithromycin didn't kill the infection."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2011

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Although there should be no negative drug interaction with this antibiotic and other medication I take daily, I had a severe allergic reaction: swelling of throat and tongue, vertigo and dizziness, bad taste in my mouth (even days after), and vomiting. I'm on my third day of the medication now and still feel sick and 'weird.' My throat and tongue are no longer swollen, but all my muscles hurt, and my skin feels painful, also major headache, and very sleepy."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2011

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Although there should be no negative drug interaction with this antibiotic and other medication I take daily, I had a severe allergic reaction: swelling of throat and tongue, vertigo and dizziness, bad taste in my mouth (even days after), and vomiting. I'm on my third day of the medication now and still feel sick and 'weird.' My throat and tongue are no longer swollen, but all my muscles hurt, and my skin feels painful, also major headache, and very sleepy."

• Kyl...
• August 12, 2015

For Chlamydia Infection "Today I received results from an STD test that was given to me by my OBGYN, unfortunately, the results came back positive for chlamydia. I've only had sex with one person, so I was pretty devastated, but luckily, I was prescribed 2 azithromycin 500 mg tablets. The side effects are pretty strange considering that you may get dizzy, become weak, it may interfere with your vision, and it may or may not cause mild stomach pain. My best advice to you is to drink tons of water and do not take the medication on an empty stomach, and it may be best to take the medicine when you're someplace comfortable. Personally, all of the side effects are worth it because, in the end, you'll be free of an STD. Good luck! (No more unprotected sex for me!)"

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2011

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "I have had this sinus infection for 5 days. Went to the doctor's yesterday, the doctor prescribed me Zithromax. The side effects with me are stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody nose, and dizziness. But it seems to be working so far. Let's hope that by the time the bottle is finished, I feel like myself again."

• Lov...
• March 27, 2016

For Bronchitis "Started with a cold, then the flu, then bronchitis, and finally a sinus infection - never felt so bad... deep wheezing and coughing up horrible stuff, as well as the same with my nose - hate to take ANYTHING but didn't want to end up in the hospital. By day 3 - big difference, and on day 5 - felt great. The only thing that bothered me was day 6, now I have vertigo - went back to the doctor, said fluid in my ears, so hoping that goes away soon. Otherwise, I read about the tummy ache, so I ate a bunch throughout the course and never got nausea or otherwise, but do feel bloated!"

• sar...
• December 30, 2014

For Chlamydia Infection "I took it this morning before going to work. I felt so blindsided. Had the worst stomach pains, super nauseous, and dizziness. I was also beyond tired, like weak. I wished I would have taken it after work or after dinner. Lesson learned: don't believe anyone when they say you're the only one. Hoping and praying it all comes out good when I get rechecked."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Lupin Azithromycin (Z pack) on 1/13/21. You take it for five days, and its effects last 6-10 days. I read that the half-life of the drug after you take the last dose is another 15.5 days, so it stays in your system a while. By day 7, I had serious fatigue and confusion. I also started having palpitations, brain fog, dizziness, and anxiety. All I can do now is wait until this tainted drug gets out of my system and hope it hasn't caused permanent damage. My optician wrote the prescription for a stye on my eye. I wish I hadn't compromised my otherwise excellent health for something so minor by taking this awful drug."

• Agh...
• March 15, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "So I found out Friday that I had chlamydia, I was prescribed two pills (500 mg each) of azithromycin. I didn't eat all day, so I took them, then had a slice of pizza. Totally bad idea. About 20 minutes later, I felt dizzy, lightheaded, and ended up puking everything. Today is now Monday, I had the prescription refilled, ate a meal first, then took the two pills. Felt fine for about two hours, then suddenly my stomach started hurting. I was so afraid I was going to end up pining, so I forced myself to eat bread. Two and a half hours later, I had to run to the bathroom, ended up having diarrhea but felt so much better after. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore! So gross, I know! Just make sure to take these while at home!"

• Ang...
• March 23, 2012

For Pneumonia "I'm 14, and I almost got 'walking pneumonia.' I had all the symptoms, but it was all slowly developing. I'm now taking azithromycin, it's my 2nd day. I just get dizzy, but not too often. I still have a heavy feeling in my chest, but it's slowly going away. I'm sure (or hope) to be better in no time. Thank you, antibiotics!"

• yes...
• April 8, 2015

For Chlamydia Infection "After going about a year with symptoms, I decided to get tested. I was diagnosed with chlamydia. I had a sense of relief knowing it was something easily treatable but worried because I read that if it's not treated, it can prevent fertility (I guess I will find out when I try and get pregnant. I am only 20, and kids are nowhere near my future.) I took two 500 mg tablets of azithromycin after eating (you can take it with or without food). I began having hot flashes and stomach pain within 30 minutes. It was nothing too serious. A few minutes later, the stomach pain got worse. I knew it was time to hit the restroom. I had diarrhea, it went down pretty easy. I feel a lot better now, just a bit dizzy. I recommend taking it in the comfort of your home."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2015

For Chlamydia Infection "I want to point out that I'm 20, 5'4" and 125 lbs, so effects will likely vary. I waited till bedtime to take the (2) 500 mg pills because of the listed side effects. Immediately after, I felt dizziness and a tad queasy. I slept way longer than usual, so I assume the medicine was doing its job. Typically, I'm up by 6:30-7, but I didn't get up till almost 10. I had diarrhea that morning. The sluggish, drowsy feeling lasted the entire day, along with a slight headache. I felt an awful pain in my abdomen on my way to class too, but that went away after about an hour. That's pretty much it, my partner took the same medicine that had been prescribed by his doctor and didn't experience any of this. I'm just super glad that it's treatable."

• sad...
• July 31, 2019

For Chlamydia Infection "I took two of the 500 mg pills. I felt fine and took them with food. Two hours later, I was extremely nauseous and dizzy and had diarrhea. I then felt fine, then another hour later, I got extreme chills and was shaking and had a fever. The experience with this medicine sucked, so I hope it's all cleared up, and I am always using condoms now :/"

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "My doctor prescribed me this for an ear infection. 500 mg for 4 days. I made it through all four days fine, but then on day 5, I had a couple of really bad dizzy spells and felt like I was going to faint. I went to the ER, and everything checked out fine: blood work, EKG, chest X-ray, etc. Well, I'm now on day 7 and feel horrible. Super anxious, nauseated, indigestion, and just feel horrible. I'm hoping it stops soon."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2017

For Sinusitis "Took this drug (5-day dose) for a sinus infection. It did clear up the infection, but the side effects were horrible. I got dizzy, had a horrible headache, felt nauseous, and at one point even vomited. Each day was agonizing, and I think I could have taken something else easier on the body for a minor sinus infection. I finished my last dose two days ago, but I'm still feeling the dizziness. I hope it goes away soon."

• Ava...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2021

Azithromycin for Bacterial Infection "I was experiencing a tension headache off and on for close to two weeks. I suspected I had a sinus infection and went to the ER because I couldn’t get in to see my PCP for weeks. I took the Z-Pak as prescribed (my last dose was last Thursday). I still feel like I have a sinus headache in addition to dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, and anxiety. I felt worse after taking it, I ended up back in the ER and was told they didn’t find a sinus infection at all, and I need to follow up with a neurologist because they couldn’t find anything on the CT that could cause the headaches either! I had a horrible reaction to a medication last year (Lexapro), which increased my anxiety symptoms. I have been in therapy and doing well with no panic attacks in months. I feel like I possibly set myself back taking the Z-Pak. It was my first and last time taking it, I never experienced these side effects taking Amoxicillin. I had to take time off from work to recoup, I want this out of my system as quickly as possible!!"