Z-Pak for Bacterial Infection User Reviews

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

"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."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2020

"I had to share my experience after seeing all of the negative reviews. I had to take Z-Pak for an abscessed tooth before a root canal procedure. I was freaked because of all the reviews I read, which were negative. I am sensitive to meds (which is why I read reviews for Z-Pak). I had 0 side effects, no nausea, nothing. Just maybe feeling hungry, but not really. If that makes sense. Took the full dose. 2 on the first day, then 4 the next 4 days. I would take it again, if needed. I am allergic to the cillins and had more side effects from when I would be prescribed erythromycin. Everyone is different with meds, but this did not give me a horrible experience."

• lan...
• September 1, 2020

"I'm only on day 2, and Z-Pak has worked wonders. I have taken it with food, and with a pretty healthy system, I have had no side effects. I have a bacterial infection in my gums causing the tissue to swell over a tooth, which caused the pain to be unbearable, but after a couple of these pills, I can already see the difference. Things feel better, and the infection is clearing."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2020

"Unbelievable! I was sick for almost 9 days with a horrible, horrible feeling inside of my body and then up all night with dry coughs, and I was just really run down, and I even had to take a day off of work. I went into my doctor just for a regular yearly checkup, and they ran blood tests and found my white blood count to be high when I was getting checked for something else. When he called me back, he told me that he was going to put a Z-Pack in for me. I felt better 5 hours after taking a Z-Pack, I literally had no cough, and my body felt back to normal, and I can tell you that it hasn't even been 24 hours and I feel 80% better! It was seriously like the best night's rest I've had in 5 days, my cough immediately went away. I think one of the best things also is the fact that it doesn't interact with my thyroid medication. I'm so happy about this, so I'm going to call and let him know today!"

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

"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 :)"

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2021

"My doctor called this in for me after a 10-day stomach bug. I felt it was bacterial vs. viral, and within 2 days of taking the Z-Pak, I felt 90% better, and by Day 5 was 100% with no symptoms and a full appetite."

• hhl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2020

"Z-Pak works well for clearing up strep throat, however, it caused *severe* appetite loss. Loose stools 1x a day. I lost 7 lbs in 3 days on this. Obviously, weight can be gained back, and the strep is gone - but ask your doctor for a script of Zofran with this! & Diflucan. Increased my anxiety a ton at night as well. Could not sleep. Pros - works. Cons - you will never want to eat, also a lot of anxiety at night from this."

• Bry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2022

"I had to take a Z-Pak for 5 days, starting a week and a half ago. The first two days were fine, it started to clear up my infection incredibly fast, but starting on the 3rd day, I began to get stomach pain. Now, it’s been almost a week since my last dose, and I’ve been in bed writhing in pain every day, the cramps and gas pains are out of this world. It also gave me extreme heart palpitations, and I passed out a few nights ago! I’ve taken Z-Paks in the past with no issues, not sure what’s happening this time. I’m typing this from the bathroom as I sit trying so hard to go, but nothing comes, just severe pain."

• wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2014

"I am allergic to just about every antibiotic out there, but the Z-Pak is pretty good in taking care of the sinus infections I get without too many side effects. A little bit of upset stomach occurs, but it's minor. Z-Pak always takes care of the infection promptly."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2018

"I love the Z-Pak! I am allergic to most every antibiotic out there, and so this is my go-to. I have three infections right now: double ear, sinus, and lung. I felt terrible two days ago, and now I am awesome. I am having the poops, and when I take it on an empty stomach, it hurts, but a bit of food and I am fine as wine. I have two days left of a five-day course, and I feel awesome. I love this antibiotic. Plus for me, as soon as I am done with it, I poop normally again."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

"Doctor prescribed amoxicillin for my sinusitis (10-day supply). By day 4, my phlegm was green, and I felt worse than day 1. Told doctor to prescribe Z-Pak. I took the double dose on the first day, and within six hours, felt 80% better. By day two, no more green phlegm and feeling almost 100% better."

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

"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!!"

• Not...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 3, 2024

"For years, I have been taking Z-Pak, and with absolutely no side effects. This is a wonder drug if you come down with a bacterial infection like I have today. First day you take 2, the remaining 4 days you take 1. And like that, the cold is gone. The best way to take it is with clear liquids (juice, tea, water). I am so pleased that this medication works."

• Bes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2023

"I’m allergic to many antibiotics, and the ones I’m not allergic to make me physically ill with nausea and terrible stomach upset. This is the only antibiotic I can take without worrying about horrible side effects. I highly recommend it. It’s also easier to take than many other antibiotics that you have to take multiple times a day. Don’t let any bad reviews scare you, this is a great antibiotic! I’m currently on it for a root canal. But I’ve had it a couple of times in the past for other issues."

• Nev...
• July 20, 2017

"Took first dose of two tablets for bronchitis and lost all ability to taste food in a few hours, also had to leave work as I felt very tired. No change to bronchitis symptoms. Day two, continues to have no ability to taste food and headache (5/10) began after the second dose. Bronchitis symptoms mildly improving. Following the third dose, severe headache and earache, took tramadol, which made it manageable. Not taking the fourth dose, currently experiencing horrific stomach cramps and diarrhea. Still can't taste anything and have a significant headache. Felt much better with bronchitis symptoms, feel like death. Never again."

• TJ2...
• April 22, 2015

"I love this stuff! I am a smoker, so I am prone to getting bronchitis more. Getting sick stinks, but when I get bronchitis, which is almost every year, I get this medication, and by the 2nd or 3rd day, I am feeling much better, and by day 4, I don't really feel like I am sick anymore. But you need to finish the meds! That is a must. I have also been told that it might not work the first time around, so you need to take a 2nd round of the meds. I call it the miracle drug!"

• Cru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2016

"Got rid of my very bad case of bronchitis in 4 days. I was given a 5-day treatment plan. So I took all the antibiotic pills. My doctor also gave me just 1 antifungal pill because I get thrush in my mouth and/or a yeast infection. I took that on the 3rd day of the antibiotic pills. And it worked!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2018

"I am now to the point where I specifically ask doctors not to prescribe Z-Paks for me. Sometimes, they argue and say, 'it will work.' Of course, it doesn't, and then they give me a second Z-Pak prescription. It still doesn't work, then finally they relent and prescribe something that does!"

• Jak...
• August 19, 2017

"Everyone. Most respiratory infections are virus. Z-Pak works great on pneumonia, which most people do not have. If the Z-Pak is not working for you, you have a virus. Learn to live with it. Your body fights them off pretty well. Coughing lasts the longest."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2021

"I took the Z pack (5 day) for walking pneumonia, and to be honest, I didn't even know I had walking pneumonia, I thought it was a regular cold. I took the Z Pak and really didn't feel any differently until 5 days, but then still had the same symptoms lingering around after I finished. I went to get a checkup and there is no sign of pneumonia at all, so I guess it takes a while for the symptoms to fully go away, and I will just let my body fully heal. I guess I can basically give it a 9 for making the pneumonia go away."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

"It helped my sinus infection after day two, but the side effects are worse than how I was originally feeling. My legs are burning on fire, heart racing like crazy, high blood pressure, headache, body aches, fighting back and forth with the same fever I already had, but it’s worse, swollen lips and lymph nodes."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2015

"I started taking this medication for my bronchitis, and I feel better already. I have bronchitis, and it has seemed to help. I have noticed that I have diarrhea and some stomach pains. I'm pretty restless at night. Overall, I think it's alright."

• l3x...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2025

"Prescribed a 125 mg pack for a severe sinus infection (and possible pneumonia) and felt 95% better by the end of the second day. Had a tiny bit of stomach cramps and loose stool on the first day, but that’s to be expected with any antibiotic. I swear this stuff is magical."

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

"It doesn’t work, and if anything, it makes me feel worse. It gives me an upset stomach, and I get super dizzy every time I take it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2013

"Bronchitis - worked fast."