Azithromycin and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Pau...
• December 7, 2015

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "It's a life saver for me. Chronic sinus problem that occurs twice a year. Slight stomach issues after initial dose. Knocks out brain fog. Had the best night sleep in months. Always take with food, and you will have no issues. Made me feel 90% better 24 hours after initial dosage. Use with Flonase to open passages to help get it all. Only thing that works for my sinus problems."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2012

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "After suffering from a cold for 8 days, I woke up with extreme pressure in my sinuses and couldn't hear due to my ears being clogged. I was prescribed the 3-day Zithromax and after one day felt so much better. The pressure went away and I had a slightly runny nose. On the second day, I could breathe without using decongestants. I haven't had any side effects, but maybe a slight pang in my stomach when taking (I usually eat something right after taking). I'm usually resistant to going to the doctor, but very glad I did this time."

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

Azithromycin for Bacterial Infection "These bad reviews terrified me. I took this for strep throat, and within the second day, I was feeling better. I have one more day left and will be done with it. I’ve had no bad issues. The first day with the two pills made my stomach hurt a little and I got mild diarrhea, but after that, I had no more issues. Make sure to eat a full meal when taking it. And stop overthinking! Anxiety causes stomach pain and bathroom issues as well. If you’re freaking out due to the reviews, I would not be shocked if you end up in the bathroom. Please don’t let the reviews deter you. Everyone’s body is different."

• 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'."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2016

Azithromycin for Sinusitis "Was told by a doctor who specialized in respiratory infections, because his main patients were miners, that I would suffer with chronic sinus infections the rest of my life and that a Z-Pak would work, but to really wipe it out, I should use Ceftin. So if Z-Pak does not work for anyone, try the Ceftin. I get Z-Pak normally because I can tolerate the azithromycin. A little stomach upset on the day after all meds are taken (6th day), but other than that, good results... usually takes 48 hours for me to feel better since I am older and have a weakened immune system, but on that third day, much, much better."

• Liz...
• February 5, 2013

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "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."

• Liz...
• February 5, 2013

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "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."

• 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."

• RoM...
• January 25, 2014

For Sinusitis "After 5 days of terrible dry, hacking cough, causing chest muscles to be sore and being unable to function, I went to the Dr., and he prescribed the Z Pak. On day 2, I see results. It is loosening up all the congestion. I am finally a little better. I have a ways to go, but I do see good results. When I talked to the pharmacist, he suggested eating something light before taking, even though you can take it on an empty stomach. He said some get upset stomach after taking, so I took his advice and am having no problems. I tried Mucinex before seeing the Dr., but got no results this time. Glad I went in for a checkup."

• 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 :)"

• 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."

• KT7...
• March 1, 2014

For Chlamydia Infection "I was prescribed 1g of azithromycin in 2 500mg pills. My doctor allowed me to take them an hour apart to try to avoid some stomach upset. I took them at 8 pm with dinner, and was fine till about midnight. I got pretty bad stomach cramps and diarrhea consistently throughout the night. By the next morning, though, everything had subsided, and I was fine. Ate normally, felt no side effects. I began feeling better after a day and was negative upon re-test. Medicines work well, you just have to put up with a few unpleasant side effects sometimes."

• Kel...
• June 19, 2015

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed azithromycin by my doctor for sinusitis. I have suffered from year-long allergies since I was a kid, and this year has definitely been a bad one for me. I was a little worried about taking this medication because I read that some people got bad stomach upset with it. Luckily enough, the worst thing that happened to me was minor lower abdominal cramps, no worse than menstrual cramps. By the time I woke up the next day, I was able to breathe clear for the first time literally in months. I did not feel congested, although I did have a very minor sore throat that I believe was caused by my sinuses finally draining. I definitely recommend taking this drug with food - it helps avoid stomach upset or cramps. Otherwise, this helped me."

• Sic...
• January 24, 2016

For Bronchitis "I'm 43, with a lifelong history of bronchitis. When I get sick, I often find myself coughing until I vomit. I have been prescribed the 'Z Pack' several times. I have found that, while it does ultimately take care of the bronchitis, it takes at least 7-8 days from the time I start the medicine until I begin to feel relief. In fact, during this current episode, my symptoms continued to worsen until today, which is the day I took the last pill. I don't yet feel any better, but today I am not getting any worse. This is consistent with each of the other times I have been prescribed this medication. I typically don't have major stomach issues while taking the medicine, but on occasion, have had issues the first and second day."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2012

Azithromycin for Bronchitis "I came down with bronchitis and was prescribed Zithromax. I was prone to ear infections when I was younger and was always prescribed this because I was allergic to penicillin. I had no side effects then, but now I have bad stomach cramps and diarrhea."

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

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "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!"

• Flu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

Azithromycin for Bacterial Infection "Z-Pak is the only antibiotic I don’t have an allergic reaction to or side effects from. I agree with the reviews, it either works fast and is awesome, or it doesn’t work. If you need a second dose, your illness is probably something else. Pop a Pepcid before taking it and eat while you take it, it prevents heartburn/upset stomach. Be well out there and please stay home if you’re sick :)"

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2015

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed azithromycin after feeling fatigued and under the weather for a few days, then coming down with a fever, chills, body aches, loss of taste, deep chest congestion, and sinus congestion. My doctor said it was bronchitis and perhaps an initial onset of bronchial pneumonia. On the 5-day treatment, I started feeling noticeably better on day 2. On day 3 now, and although still getting better, the lung congestion is so deep that it's hard to get rid of the mucus. A MUST on this drug is taking a LOT of probiotics! The medication kills off all of your gut germs, good and bad, making many people's stomachs ache, so make sure to eat a lot of yogurt and even better kefir every day. The doctors leave that out when prescribing."

• don...
• January 10, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "This antibiotic is making me pay the price for not using condoms. I took it about 2 hours ago, and I’m having really bad nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. I’m eating small bits of crackers, and the nausea is slowly fading, but so far it’s not fun."

• Sau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2019

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "I've seen a lot of reviews, and they kind of freaked me out about the side effects. I fixed myself a nice brunch, ate, then took the pills, and about an hour after taking the (4) 250 mg Zithromax pills, my stomach started churning and rumbling. I used the bathroom once, and that was pretty much it. No vomiting, no bad diarrhea, or sweating, etc. I took the pills Wednesday, so I'm 2 days in."

• Sau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2019

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "I've seen a lot of reviews, and they kind of freaked me out about the side effects. I fixed myself a nice brunch, ate, then took the pills, and about an hour after taking the (4) 250 mg Zithromax pills, my stomach started churning and rumbling. I used the bathroom once, and that was pretty much it. No vomiting, no bad diarrhea, or sweating, etc. I took the pills Wednesday, so I'm 2 days in."

• Nas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2013

Azithromycin for Chlamydia Infection "It doesn't taste like anything when I took it. But I eat a meal with it and drink a glass of water/milk like it suggests. I've taken this medication three times. Each time it makes my stomach hurt, and I feel very nauseous. I also get sweaty and have bad diarrhea within an hour or two. It clears the infection up well, though."

• Pum...
• February 21, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "Omg! So today I took these pills on an empty stomach, and I kid you not, about 20-30 minutes after taking them, my stomach is at a 10. I'm currently on the toilet now, too scared to get up. Cramps, gurgling, nausea, you name it! I'm trying to take deep breaths to ease the pain, but it's not working at all!"

• 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."

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2016

For Bronchitis "I only have a 6/10 here because I'm on the second day of the dosing. I found this page by googling azithromycin and bronchitis. It's giving me hope. I still have a fever, but ibuprofen helps that. Lots of fatigue, but if you can't get a good breath in, you're going to be tired! Coughing is less, which is good, and lungs aren't as soggy as they were. I did experience some stomach discomfort, but if you take an antibiotic on an empty stomach, that can definitely happen. All in all, I'm happy with this. I just hope it takes away my bronchitis!! I want to run again without getting dizzy."