Zithromax and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2014

For Sinusitis "I have had chronic sinusitis for the better part of 10 years now off and on. It really gets bad as spring changes over to summer as well as summer over to fall. I have taken several different antibiotics over the years and the sinusitis keeps coming back stronger the next year. So I just started the 7-day Z-Pak yesterday for the first time and just took the second day's dosage. Much like most of the other reviews on this site, I am experiencing some minor diarrhea as well as flatulence. Which, in my opinion, can be a deadly combination for a new pair of white boxer briefs! I have not noticed any other side effects as of yet, but again I am only on the second day. I will tell you that I am feeling much livelier right now and gained motivation."

• Ste...
• August 6, 2014

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."

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

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."

• Jmn...
• January 20, 2017

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed a five-day round with the Z-Pak after developing a severe flu-like upper respiratory infection with stuffed and painful sinuses plus aches, sore throat, diarrhea, muscle pain, nausea, and more. I had a Rituxan infusion, and all of this started the next day (common side effects or adverse events). I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my immune system is screwed to begin with, and the Rituxan infusions temporarily make it worse. So I picked up a bug; bam! Long story, short ending. The Z-Pak began working almost immediately, and two hours after my second pill of 250 mg (first was 500), I don't feel sick. My sinuses are still a bit clogged, but that's livable. I'm impressed."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2012

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."

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

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."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2009

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed Zithromax for an upper respiratory infection, and I did not have such a good experience. The first day I had really bad diarrhea. I couldn't even leave the house. The second day I was overwhelmed with nausea. I took the pill with food and still felt sick to my stomach the entire day and night. Today I have decided the terrible side effects are not worth it, and I'm not going to take the rest of my prescription."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2011

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."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2011

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

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

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."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

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."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2009

For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment "I have been taking this on a weekly basis for the past 8 months, but I noticed that in the last three weeks, it's been giving me diarrhea the moment I take it. It just goes right through me. This medication is effective, but you have to make sure your body can handle it. I did, for a while, until recently."

• Rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2017

For Bronchitis "Was given Z-pack for bronchitis. Didn't really help with it. Made me have diarrhea. Made me sick to my stomach, terrible metallic taste, and sinus mucus. It was like it was toxic on my system. I also got a bladder infection after taking it. Probably killed all the good bacteria in my gut. Never again."

• trm...
• October 3, 2021

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed Zithromax 250 mg tablets for bronchitis. I’ve taken it for many years as I regularly seem to get sick every fall. Never had reactions either. The generic version I was given was from Lupin Mfg. Co. After my first day dosage, I had indigestion about 2 hours later. The next day, after taking the pill, I developed burning eyes and nose! Also, sores inside my mouth. Diarrhea and lots of gas also. I took myself off the pills and will call my doctor."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2017

For Bronchitis "Eased my chest tightness when coughing after the first day. Took for 3 days, then started experiencing stomach cramps, diarrhea, and gas pressure. Gave me a funny taste in my mouth that I couldn't get rid of. Did not take the last 2 pills. Would rather have a cough than stomach issues."

• Wea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2018

For Chlamydia Infection "Went to our local free clinic for routine testing, no diagnosis yet, but they treated me for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The worst side effects ever, from 4:30 till 8:30, non-stop stomach cramps, diarrhea. This medication is horrible. Safe sex would have stopped me from getting into this situation - wrap it up and be safe."

• Adr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2018

For Pharyngitis "Taking Zithromax (Azithromycin) Teva 250 mg 6-day pack. Gave me diarrhea even with food. Made me feel odd and uncomfortable for some reason. Also noticed that it had marked day 4 on the back of the pack on my last tablet. Don’t know if I had to take it in order or not, but did notice it said day 4. Other than that, I guess it kind of worked, I feel a little better, nothing really noticeable."

• and...
• March 5, 2013

For Sinusitis "I am one of the few that have not had a good experience. High anxiety because my heart won't slow down, bad headache, little nausea, and loose stool. I'm going tomorrow to get different antibiotics."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2012

For Chlamydia Infection "Diarrhea after 3 hours of taking it. Bad nausea for quite a while along with general feeling of being run down. It was hard to eat. I did keep it down. It was 1000 mg."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2010

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Terrible diarrhea. Very bad stomach pains."

• Sid...
• March 17, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "About 2 hours after taking four 250 mg tablets, I'm experiencing awful diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, jitteriness, and drowsiness. I ate before and after taking this medicine."