Zithromax and Nausea: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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
• 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."

• 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
• 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."

• STI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "Took this last week under the directions of my pharmacist. I ate a full dinner (burger and some veg) and waited 45 minutes to an hour before taking my 4 large pink pills. My pharmacist and my doctor both recommended staying away from dairy in the meal before I took the pills. Went to bed feeling a little nauseous, but that could have been nerves because of all the reviews on here. I slept through the night, totally fine. No diarrhea, no vomiting. Got my lab results back this morning, and I'm in the clear."

• Mo1...
• October 2, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "So got my wisdom teeth out about three days ago, had an infection, got prescribed some other crazy antibiotic. Wasn't comfortable taking it, so I asked for a new one the next day and got prescribed Z-Pack. Was hesitating to take this one also because of the reviews and warnings it has. I'm also not one for taking antibiotics. Don't listen to the reviews you're reading, they're scary. I have terrible anxiety, but it's rare that people have those side effects. So yesterday I finally took it. Only had slight nausea and abdominal pains. I think the nausea was from the nervousness. I also got an awesome sleep. I'm already feeling better after my 2nd dose. Have 3 days to go. But I think it's doing its job, just eat yogurt and take a probiotic, you will be fine."

• Mka...
• December 14, 2015

For Chlamydia Infection "Was prescribed one dose over the course of one day, took 4 pills of 250 mg after a light lunch, and had nausea and mild stomach pains/upset. Lying down did not alleviate the discomfort and threw up 3 hours later. Called my doctor to check if I needed to take another dose, but he said my body would have absorbed the pills by then. Still experiencing mild stomach pains, but nausea is mostly gone now."

• Pig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2015

For Bronchitis "I went to the ER after I coughed up blood a few times through the day, and I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. I was prescribed the Z-Pack 5-day regimen. After a couple of days, I began feeling a little better, but by the 5th or 6th day, I felt worse. I had severe nausea and became anorexic to the point that I lost 14 pounds. It took about another 4-5 days until I could eat more than a bite or so of food at any sitting. It's been around a month and a half since this happened, and I'm still having issues with my appetite and weight. I'm still down the 14 lbs, and my energy flags easily. I'll never, EVER take that med again due to such an experience. I've had fine success with other antibiotics, without them being this hard on my gut."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2014

For Pharyngitis "I began taking Zithromax today for pharyngitis, however, it made me feel sweaty and nauseous for 45 minutes. I felt like I wanted to lay down in the living room, not in the kitchen, because I was nauseous and unwilling to relax myself instead. Yet, I got mucus. I was able to stay awake and focused the entire time anyway. At the end, nausea disappeared, and my stomach became empty and was more willing to stay seated."

• 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."