Clarithromycin for Helicobacter Pylori Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2020

"Horrible drug, I was prescribed Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day with Flagyl 400 mg twice a day and rabeprazole (Aciphex) 20 mg twice a day every twelve hours. My 1st dosage, I started having a racing heart rate. I checked my heart rate, it was 118 bpm per minute. I went to bed and calmed down, and that started reducing. Every day, different side effects, this medicine is too strong. I only managed to take it for four days as I couldn’t bear to tough it out anymore. Feels like my body has left me, lost a few kg in just four days... dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, feeling like I am going to collapse every second is too hard to handle, plus feeling like my heart is going to stop. Never again will I try this. God bless peeps."

• Que...
• December 1, 2020

"I am on amoxicillin, clarithromycin twice a day, and a PPI, omeprazole. After reading the stories on this site, I delayed my Helicobacter pylori infection treatment by 3 days as I was terrified. I did start it, and I am currently on day 4, and the side effects are bad, but I believe everyone has a different experience with this. Unfortunately, I'm one of the people who suffered badly. I am only on treatment for 7 days, so I have 3 more days left, and I do not want to repeat this ever again in my life. My symptoms before this included vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, weakness, and depression. Since taking the medication, the first two days were okay. This 4th day is a nightmare, I am having extreme suicidal thoughts, unable to eat at all, weight loss, vomiting bile, and sometimes burning sensations in my arms or chest - and I am trying my best to get through the next 3 days. I pray that when this is all over, I will never have to repeat this. If you're worried you may have bad side effects, please just try it out first."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2020

"Took one dose of this clarithromycin medicine with amoxicillin to start triple therapy for H. pylori. The taste is like you just ate a metal sandwich, and it doesn’t go away. Other side effects I have are itching, extreme paranoia, and insomnia at night. I was convinced someone was breaking into my house. Contacted my GI and let her know that this medication isn’t going to work for me. I am very sensitive to antibiotics and have anxiety, so hopefully others don’t experience the same thing."

• Myf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

"Bad breath or bad taste was one of my primary symptoms prior to getting on this medication. By day 1, it disappeared, well, started disappearing. However, it was replaced with a new terrible taste that doesn’t go away. I am only aware of the taste at night. I wake up like, what is this? lol.... I may feel a little weaker, but I just took an energy drink and energy increased. Now to find a way to eliminate this strange taste that lives in my throat now. It’s better than having bad breath for sure, super glad I’m taking it."

• Mar...
• March 9, 2022

"On day 9 of 14 for H. Pylori. Clarithromycin, Pantoprazole, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and Pepto-Bismol treatment. You will lessen a lot of symptoms if you eat with your antibiotics and take them as far apart in the day as possible. Also avoiding things that can cause stomach irritation, like coffee, tea, chocolate, greasy food, acidic drinks like orange juice and soda. Side effects are pretty severe. Suffering with black tarry stools, stomach pain, dry mouth and throat, insomnia/fatigue, gastric bleeding, hemorrhoid flare-up, ulcers in mouth, swollen sore throat and mouth, oral thrush, cough, reduced vision, the worst for me being my angry dry inflamed mouth and tongue. The doctor was not sympathetic to my symptoms, told me to take it anyways for the 14 days, otherwise, I would have to do it again. In most people, this won't cure the Pylori, and you will have to do this again. Side effects so severe and painful, I had a Covid test (negative). You can get reinfected by others' saliva, etc."

• roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2015

"Terrible taste in my mouth from this medication! It also dries you out! One of my chief complaints before being prescribed this med was a bad taste in my mouth. It was found to be from H. pylori. I do feel better in the stomach due to this medication, but the horrible taste is way nasty!"

• SAB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2018

"My doctor prescribed me this with amoxicillin for H. Pylori. First few days, it made my stomach even more upset. WORST TASTE EVER! It's so gross and makes my mouth feel so dry and raw, my tongue is inflamed. Boy... did it work? Yes, my stomach started feeling better day 4. Was it worth it? I'd say yes. But be prepared to keep sipping on things and eat lots of hard candy to keep a nice taste in your mouth. I got a few more days to go, hopefully, this goes away for good!"

• jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2019

"I had been sick about every 2 or 3 months with diarrhea. My doctor said I just had a virus. This went on for almost 1 year before I got another doctor. I asked her if she could do a blood test for me. My symptoms were vomiting, bad diarrhea, and bloating, belching. She did the test and I was positive for H. pylori. I was devastated and really upset. Now taking amoxicillin twice daily and clarithromycin twice daily with omeprazole. Everyone is pretty much correct about the side effects. I really have a hard time with the diarrhea. The other side effects are tolerable. Hang in there and take the meds. We all need to kill this terrible bacteria as it has really bad effects like increased gastric cancer, etc."

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2019

"Started having stomach issues in January and finally got tested for H. pylori in March. I am on day 13 of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and omeprazole. You get that nasty bitter taste right away - so bad that you can taste it every time you breathe. By my 7th day, I have had 3 days of nausea, some diarrhea, and stomach upset. My symptoms are worse at night, I cannot sleep. I did learn to chew mint gum, and that really helps with the bitter taste. Sucking mints helps some, but not enough, gum is the best. This combo of medicine is brutal, but I have stuck with it as I do not want to have to repeat this again...."

• i...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2018

"I am so angry after taking this drug. I have to take this for an H. pylori infection, and it is absolutely nasty. I have a very HORRIBLE metallic taste in my mouth, and I hate this drug with a vengeance. I am on my fourth day, and I have not been a functioning human for four days. I am on the verge of giving up. I am abstaining from clarithromycin as far as I can in the future. Absolutely horrible experience."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

"Was started on clarithromycin 500 mg 2x/day, amoxicillin 500 mg 2 caps 2x/day, and lansoprazole 30 mg 2x/day for H. pylori. My insurance didn’t cover the kit, so they split the meds. Insurance still didn’t cover lansoprazole, so I used OTC 15 mg 2 caps 2x/day. My heartburn and acid reflux were awful before starting these meds; I had low appetite, lost weight, and had trouble going to bed even with antacid. I'm on 2.5 days of therapy. Medication is horrible. Got bone pain, fatigue, and throat/chest discomfort after my 1st dose, and side effects continue. Terrible metallic taste most of the day, so I chew gum to mask the taste. I will keep enduring because symptomatic H. pylori can cause severe conditions including miscarriages and stomach cancer if left untreated. I don’t think the triple therapy side effects will be worse than chemo for stomach cancer. So I encourage taking this medicine if you can tolerate the side effects."

• Caj...
• May 2, 2016

"I completed a course of clarithromycin/amoxicillin/omeprazole last night. From day two of this seven-day course, I have been getting this metallic taste in my mouth. Has anyone experienced the same, and when will it go away?"

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

"I’m on day 3 of taking clarithromycin, and it’s been so horrible. My stomach pains aren’t as bad as they were the first 2 days, but I keep having really bad nausea, and the worst symptom for me is the horrible metallic bitter taste in my mouth. I really hope that my body gets used to this drug because I don’t know how I can go 11 more days feeling like this."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2020

"I am on day three of the H. pylori treatment. And honestly, I am living in a nightmare. I never thought there was any medication this brutal. And it's true what most people said: every day comes with its own surprise. My first dosage got me shivering, and my legs were shaking, I even struggled to get to the bathroom. I had diarrhea and very bad nausea. Day two, my stomach felt really weird, like there was something like a stone pressing the walls of my stomach, and very severe insomnia. Today is day 3, I had the same feeling in my stomach the whole day. I don't know whether I will be able to fall asleep tonight. This is a drug where nightmares are made."

• Fra...
• May 4, 2021

"I have terrible health anxiety triggered by a fear of medication, so when I found out I had H. pylori, I panicked at what that meant for me, as I have been suffering for 2 years with symptoms, but I was more panicked knowing I would have to take medication. I put it off for 3 days and then started when I could have someone home with me. The side effects of this triple therapy so far (I am on day 4): headache, nausea, and feeling very sick, and the most awful metallic taste in my mouth, which lingers all day. Things that have helped are only drinking water, sucking on Tic Tac, and eating dry toast and crackers. Sometimes I break out in a sweat. I was very worried about side effects, but a week of nausea to rid myself of this bug that has left me feeling so awful is worth it. I have all my fingers crossed that this triple therapy works and I can get rid of this bug for good. It’s taken over my life the past 2 years with how unwell it has made me feel."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2016

"I had bad side effects with this medicine, so I called my doctor and stopped it. My doctor told me that the benefits from the medicine outweigh the side effects, so I went back on the medicine, and I found out that eating with the medicine helps with the belly pains, and orange juice takes away the metallic taste."

• Tis...
• January 2, 2012

"Taking the PrevPak, which is a mixture of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and Prevacid. When I take the nighttime dose of the medications, I experience a metallic taste that lasts for a while. In the morning, I do not notice the metallic taste. I will start to try full meals and chocolate to see if the taste is not so obvious. Also going to get the Big Red gum, cinnamon flavor, and keep gum at my bedside when I wake up to chew the gum. Grapefruit should not be mixed with the antibiotic, as it interacts with lots of antibiotics and medications."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

"I'm on day 14 of taking this medicine, my last day. I'm taking all 3, amoxicillin and omeprazole as well for this bacteria, which got worse after a strong antibiotic that I never should have been prescribed. My experience with this drug has been positive, yes, it does leave a metallic taste. I'm on a 14-day treatment. I take 4 amoxicillin a day, two in the morning, 2 at night, I take 2 of this drug, one in the morning, one at night, and 1 omeprazole a day. I have not had any bad reactions to it, and it seems to be working just fine. I go back to retest on March 29, I hope and pray it's gone and never to return. I'm going to do a juice detox for about 3 weeks to cleanse my system afterwards."

• Kca...
• May 3, 2019

"I was seriously down with nausea (urge to vomit frequently), diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, stomach upset, and acid reflux (sometimes I feel tightness around my neck and as if food is stuck in my throat with burning stomach). After some tests, they said I had malaria and a stomach infection of H. pylori. I was placed on antimalarial, metronidazole, tetracycline, amoxyl, omeprazole, and antacid. I got better on the first day, but became worse later. I was hospitalized for two days due to severe weakness, I lost much weight, and the symptoms were still there. I finally had an endoscopy, and it was confirmed that I have gastritis and duodenitis. I was placed on Pylorest (Clarithromycin 500 mg two times daily, Amoxyl 1 gram two times daily, Rabeprazole 20 mg two times daily). I am on the seventh day now, but got worse on the second day, with an awful taste in my mouth and throat, mild nausea, and muscle pains. The drug side effects can't be compared with what I passed through earlier. I am fine with my triple treatment now. Three more days to complete my treatment, and the symptoms are fading away."

• Cou...
• March 20, 2015

"I'm taking this medicine as part of a triple antibiotic therapy. It makes me so miserable that I feel like I'm dying. I hope it gets better, but it sucks. I can't wait until I can throw the empty bottle away."

• Liz...
• July 16, 2022

"I just finished my H. pylori treatment yesterday. 14 days of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and omeprazole twice daily. I'm an LVN and had done the research and reviews, and I completely psyched myself out. I saw nothing but bad reviews: horrifying stories. I postponed treatment for 2 months. Well, I gained like 30 lbs in one month and began to experience edema and bloating, so I prayed and decided to go for it. I took my 4-capsule cocktail at 9:30 am, then at 10:30 am, I took a probiotic. I took these on an empty stomach with a full bottle of water. Then at lunch, I had a good meal, and supper was a small meal. I hydrated and still experienced the metallic taste, still had mild nausea, darkened tongue. These effects were far less than I anticipated and totally doable. Don't believe that every experience here will be your experience. I'm pending follow-up to check results of treatment. If you are on the fence, I hope this helps. Good luck and God bless. Liza"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

"I am on day 1 of this medication for H. pylori infection along with amoxicillin. So far, the only awful side effect is the bad taste that lingers in my mouth. I have had random nausea, but I was having nausea before I started this medication because of the H. pylori infection, so that is nothing new. I have been drinking blueberry juice to help with the bitter taste, and it seems to be working. Hopefully, the side effects of this medication will wear off with time, but I will have to wait and see. It is nice to know other people are having the same experience as me, though!"

• hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2014

"I have taken clarithromycin on two separate occasions for treatment of Helicobacter pylori both times. One time was approximately 7 years ago and then again about 3 years ago. I am about to start another round along with amoxicillin and bismuth, which is Pepto-Bismol. Clarithromycin leaves a horrible metallic taste in my mouth. I am not looking forward to taking it again. The only thing that seemed to relieve this momentarily was chocolate. I kept Hershey's kisses with me all the time. I would even have to get up in the middle of the night and eat one. The taste was so bad that I couldn't even go back to sleep. A nurse told me that she had heard this worked. After eradication, try oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, and turmeric daily."

• DKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2018

"I am on Day 5 of 500 mg twice a day, and I have thrown in the towel. I really wanted to finish the 7-day course, but I cannot function with the hideous side effects. Initially, just stomach cramping, but then debilitating nausea and a disgusting taste in my mouth. Day 4 brought on the worst headache, and throughout, I have had excruciating pain in my ribs and back. Cannot wait to feel like a normal human being again."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2023

"7-day treatment after gastroscopy detected Helicobacter. This is the worst drug regimen I have ever taken. Metallic rusting taste in your mouth and day 3 diarrhea. The H. pylori was causing a funny sensation under my right rib, like an adhesion when I leaned forward. I will stick to this for the 7 days, but if it doesn't kill H. pylori, I don't think I could do this again, it's too awful. I use a tiny bit of peppermint under my tongue in bed to offset the metallic taste, it really is a medieval drug treatment. I am a fit 80-year-old. Strangely, the fecal test was negative for H. pylori. Only the gastroscopy was positive. Going up the nose for a gastroscopy sounds awful, but there's no gagging like when it's done through the mouth, and it's much quicker and more comfortable."