Azithromycin and Headaches: What Users Say

• no...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2014

For Sinusitis "I had a tickle in my throat and very tired on day one. Then on day 3, a dry hacking cough, and then a runny nose and congestion. On day 5, I woke up to a bad sinus headache and pressure, but it was not getting better and the cough was worse. By day 7, I felt like death warmed over and couldn't take it anymore. I went to the doctor and got a 5-day Zpak and inhaler. I took the dose on day 1 and the next morning felt much better, a lot of the sinus pressure and headache were gone. By day 4, I felt much, much better and only had a small cough now."

• Eli...
• November 6, 2016

For Pneumonia "I had been fighting a horrible respiratory infection and couldn't go to work or college. After about two weeks, I had to go to the doctor, where they told me I had pneumonia. Having had it before, I expected some antibiotics that you take for over a week and was very skeptical when I got these, considering there wasn't even a week. On day one of taking it, I had some diarrhea and a headache, but when I woke up the next morning, I didn't have those symptoms again. Also, that morning my symptoms from pneumonia had improved dramatically. By day four, the infection was almost all the way gone, besides an occasional cough. I am very glad I tried this drug, it helped me a lot!"

• 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'."

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

For Chlamydia Infection "I was absolutely terrified to take this medicine after reading the reviews, and to anyone that is afraid, TAKE THESE REVIEWS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. I was prescribed two 500 mg Azithromycin, and I took them after a big breakfast. Called out of work and took them around 12ish. I ate pancakes, eggs, and bacon, and yogurt. I’ve also been eating yogurt for the past few days. Probiotics apparently help when taking antibiotics. Now it’s 3 hours later. No symptoms. No headache, no nausea, NOTHING. I’m just peeing a lot because I drank lots of water. Do not be afraid, it affects everyone differently. ❤️"

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

For Bronchitis "I had a sinus and bronchitis infection, got the 5-day azithromycin treatment pack. Also given 5 days of steroids. Feeling better after the second full day of treatment, so amazing how quickly it worked. I did sleep 12 hours the first day of treatment, which helped. I had been coughing up nasty stuff for a week. Side effects aren't bad, just follow Dr. orders. Eat with the Z pack pill, drink lots of water, 6 bottles a day, and get tons of rest if you can. If you get a headache, take what you normally take to get rid of it. All in all, the Z pack works for what it's meant for. I'm glad it works for me. Just eat, drink lots of water, and rest if you can."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

Azithromycin for Bacterial Infection "Severe anxiety and nervousness, horrible diarrhea, awful stomach ache, intense nausea, freaky nightmare, horrific headache. I only took 2 pills, they were 250 mg apiece. Don't recommend whatsoever. Now I'm feeling like death, wondering when the effects will wear off."

• joj...
• February 10, 2017

For Bronchitis "It started a month ago when I developed a cold, and it went into a bad cough. It was scary, and then I lost my voice. My doctor prescribed azithromycin. I decided to look at the reviews, and I thought, yikes, I'm not taking this. One person said the side effects were worse than the illness. Three weeks later, I got rid of my cold only to get it back one week later, but this time the cough turned into bronchitis. Now that cough scared me so bad I decided to look at the positive reviews. One woman said you have to try it first, and I did, and wow, three days on the medicine, my cough is almost gone. Side effects: sore stomach for a few minutes after taking it, mild headache. Compared to that cough, I have nothing to complain about. Life is good again :)"

• 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "Horrible experience. I was prescribed azithromycin for an 'ear infection.' When I took the first dose, I was fine until 2 hours later. I started to experience fatigue, headache, rapid heartbeat, and by the second day, I'm now experiencing ringing in both ears. This is horrible. Does anybody experience that in their ears? If so, how long did it go away? I'm so scared to go deaf."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2015

For Pneumonia "Woke on a Monday, with a cough and shortness of breath. Got worse through the week. Went to an urgent care, and after being tested for the flu, they agreed with me that I had pneumonia. Third time I have had it in 15 years (I'm lucky like that). They gave me a shot and put me on 250 mg for 5 days. On day 4, still out of work, with coughing and shortness of breath. Meds tore up my stomach and caused pain towards the right side. Eat some yogurt before taking, helps some. Either I'm worse than I thought, or it's taken this med longer than I expected to get me back on my feet. Also caused some headaches. Good luck to others taking it, and hope it helps you to feel better."

• 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."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2023

Azithromycin "I was prescribed a Z-Pak before a trip out of the country for potential strep throat. A family member had strep, and I was feeling off prior to the trip, so I called a teledoctor, and they prescribed the Z-Pak. I took the first dose. Within 45 minutes, I had diarrhea, and my heart rate shot over 120 bpm. I attributed these symptoms to anxiety prior to the trip. Went to bed and woke up around 2:30 am sweating, my heart racing, and my body shaking/jerking. Needless to say, the trip was canceled. Anxiety, headaches, and diarrhea lasted days after, along with sleeping hours upon end. Literally felt like I was hit by a truck. I will not be taking a Z-Pak again."

• 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."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2016

For Sinusitis "I went to see the doctor finally after 100+ days of sinusitis... just thought it was a persistent cold. No bad side effects at all, but not as effective as I had hoped. First day (2 doses), I felt improvement after 4 hours. Day 2, unfortunately, all symptoms worsened (congestion, headache, ear pressure, postnasal drip, coughing). Day 3, symptoms became worse still. Day 4 was nearly unbearable with the worst headache I have had in my 66 years. Ears felt as if filled with fluid. Not able to sleep at all at night, even with head in an elevated position. Today is Day 5, and I've taken the final dose. There is some improvement today, and the package asserts that the antibiotic will keep working for Days 6-10, even though no more doses will be taken."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2018

For Pneumonia "Pneumonia. Seems to be working on the infection. Side effects are rough. I have a tension headache. Never had it before. Rate headache a 7 out of 10. Tylenol won’t touch it. Lethargic. Hard to sleep yet so tired. General feeling that my body is being nuked."

• 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."

• 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."

• So...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2017

For Bronchitis "I got a wicked cold with burning in my chest every time I coughed, so I thought it was bronchitis. Lots of mucus in the upper respiratory area. Low-grade fever. I saw my internist (MD) yesterday, and she gave me Zpack (Zithromax). I felt that was the correct prescription. I took my third pill on day 2 (today), and a couple of hours later I no longer have burning or chest discomfort when I cough. That is a significant improvement. I had a headache the first day from taking 2 pills, but no other side effects. No side effects today. I did feel less mucus the first day, but still had chest discomfort and less burning. This drug does its magic when you are asleep at night. I pray by the time I finish the Z-Pack, I am completely healed. That seems likely now."

• 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."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Just finished Z-Pack for an upper respiratory tract infection. I've gotten progressively worse through the 5-day course. On day 4, I had a temp of 103 and a severe headache. I had a temp of 99 when I began the pack."

• Jr8...
• October 27, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "Week after hookup, found out I had Chlamydia when my pee started burning and constantly discharging a white pus. Was prescribed this medication as a single dose, took on a Sunday afternoon, minor stomach grumbling, then an unpleasant headache at night which felt like intense pressure/fever and put me to sleep. Woke up next day, headache was gone, and by end of day, started to notice improvement in burning while peeing. By day 3, discharge was much more infrequent and burning pee was almost gone, nowhere near as intense. By Friday, which was day 6, burning pee was gone and no discharge at all, life was back to normal, lol. Never had any diarrhea or uncontrollable stomach pain, just a little nauseated the first 24 hours. Very effective med for me."

• 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."

• Gus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2015

For Sinusitis "Was given this medication 7 days ago and still feel sick. Yesterday I took a shower, and sinuses really started draining. I was so excited. Am also doing the sinus flush 4 times a day. Today I woke up with a headache and the chills. Took another shower with little drainage. Back to the Dr. on Monday, as this should be working by now."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "I was prescribed 2 azithromycin pills to cure my chlamydia. I took the two pills together, followed by water, and at least 15 mins later, I started to feel nauseous. So I laid down, however, I felt like that was only making it worse. So I sat up, the nausea went away, but then I started to get stomach cramps through the lower part of my stomach. I’m now having diarrhea and a slight headache. I’m going to continue staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, hopefully, it’ll help. I’m just glad I was able to get the pills to get this over with. Considering everything, I don’t mind the side effects as long as I’m cured."

• 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."