Zithromax and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Pau...
• December 7, 2015

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

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."

• Spi...
• April 7, 2010

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

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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Inf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I had no issues with side effects from Zithromax whatsoever, although the doctor said it would likely cause stomach upsets (again, never experienced this though). Unfortunately, though, it did nothing to help the bacterial infection. It's only been about two days now... I would have thought there'd be some improvement, but it still steadily gets worse."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2015

For Sinusitis "The day one, two pills do tend to wipe out the bacteria in my gut. After having stomach issues on the first night of the first time, I do take a probiotic and one Imodium at night. The first time I took this, it wiped the infection in 48 hours. The second time, 11 months later, it did not work quite so well. The infection greatly decreased but did come back 5 days later. I think part of the problem was that I still had a virus and mold allergy problems from rain, as well as an infection, so had trouble eliminating congestion. I took a 5-day dosage and did have symptoms reoccur in a week. I do think it would have worked better if I had not had these additional issues related to a virus and allergies."

• Bor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "Soooo, I get a call saying I need to get checked, and of course I'm all butt hurt because I've had like one fling in my whole life, and of course it's the only guy I didn't use protection with. So I go in, I get tested. I get the results. It's chlamydia. My doctor prescribes me the drink powder, and honestly, taking the medicine was terrible because the powder doesn't dissolve all the way, so I had to keep refilling my glass. I gagged a lot, so just be careful with it. I ate right after I took it, and it took about 30 minutes for the stomach cramps to start in. They were pretty uncomfortable, but I didn't get diarrhea, just the cramps. It's not great, but I mean, it's the price I pay. Just gonna sleep it off. And probably never have sex again."

• sin...
• November 5, 2009

For Sinusitis "I get sinusitis several times a year. The old-fashioned 5-day Z-packs used to work really well for me. They still do 'knock down' the worst of it (I carry a filled prescription from my doctor when I'm traveling on business)... but in the past several years, I've noticed that sometimes the sinusitis will rebound in a couple of weeks, and I end up having to take a different type of antibiotic. Unfortunately, those secondary antibiotics tend to get to me -- queasy stomach, the 'taste' of the medicine even hours later. None of that with Zithromax. The only time I had a bad experience with Zithromax side effects was the three-day pack."

• sca...
• June 27, 2009

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I was prescribed a 5-day Z-Pak to treat a streptococcal pharyngitis infection. After the second day, the medication reduced the swelling and throat pain, but began to cause stomach cramping and pain. By the end of the third day, the stomach pain was severe, and the doctor recommended discontinuing use. This is the only antibiotic I have used that has caused an allergic reaction."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2009

For Bronchitis "Gets rid of it quickly, but it can cause stomach cramps."

• Dor...
• April 29, 2016

For Bronchitis "A lot of trouble with stomach issues; diarrhea, stomach pains, and major stomach discomfort!"

• Che...
• December 9, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "No effect at all, it makes my stomach upset in 1 hour. After that, no changes at all."