Clarithromycin for Middle Ear Infections User Reviews (Page 2)

• How...
• October 23, 2020

"I'm on day two of clarithromycin, dose = two 500 mg tablets a day. Was given this for chronic ear infection after Otomize spray didn't work. First day, I had the awful metallic taste, and nothing is making it go away. I can deal with the bad taste, but the other side effects are horrendous, including palpitations, anxiety, panic attacks, crying, nausea, stomach cramps, shakes, and tiredness. I'm on day 2, and I can't take anymore! I'll never ever take this medication again. Unlucky for me, it's a Friday evening, so I won't be able to speak to my GP to change the antibiotic. Reading everyone's reviews has helped, as I was starting to panic about my side effects. Good luck, and try to get a different antibiotic if you can."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

"Had to take in addition to viral tablets and steroids as the sinusitis I had caused Bell’s palsy at the same time, so half of my face was paralyzed. It cleared up my sinusitis, but I had to switch to a different antibiotic by day 5 as the side effects were awful. Within 20 minutes of taking it, my heart was racing and beating out of my chest. This has now given me long QT interval in my heart for life, and I’ve been on beta blockers since. I would advise looking for alternatives. This shouldn’t even be prescribed due to how often it causes heart problems."

• Fli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

"Not good. Feel really sick on this stuff. The horrible taste is actually the most manageable symptom! I’m 4 days in now, and my stomach is feeling terrible with major gastrointestinal issues, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and terrible insomnia and broken sleep. It does seem to be sorting out my ear infection, but I’m actually feeling really ill from it. I’d not recommend it to anyone unless there really is nothing else to take!"

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2021

"I was put on this antibiotic for an ear infection. I suffer from bad anxiety and have recently started fluoxetine 3 weeks back. I started to feel well on the fluoxetine but then got an ear infection, so the doctor prescribed these. After two days of taking 500 mg twice per day, I had to stop. These gave me EXTREME anxiety, my memory was bad, I lost track of time in those days I took them, I couldn't stop crying, I couldn't think straight, I thought I was going crazy! I've read on the internet these antibiotics have caused this to happen to hundreds or even thousands of people. They should be taken off the market. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!"

• Shu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2016

"I've literally just woken up to a nasty taste in my mouth, and my heart racing! I've also got an occasional stabbing pain in my boob/nipple. I feel disoriented and panicky. I didn't know why I was feeling this way until I googled, 'Nasty taste in my mouth from antibiotics?' and this came up. I will immediately stop taking this medication prescribed by the doctor! I'd rather suffer with the ear infection than this!"

• 26y...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2015

"I was given this medicine due to a severe inner ear infection. I also took this drug several times before due to a bad flu, fever, and sinus. It works, but not immediately. The taste in the mouth it leaves is bearable but very, very bad, and dizziness I feel after half an hour of swallowing the given those of the doctor depending on what I am doing. Side effects I have are always different and not always the same."

• Bee...
• July 29, 2015

"I was given this medicine due to an ear infection. After the first day, I felt so much better. The taste it leaves in my mouth is horrible, though, and I am so tired! I feel like I have not slept in days. No feeling of sickness, though."

• H13...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2020

Clarithromycin "Side effects: metallic taste in mouth, nightmares, insomnia, constipation, stomach pain, gas, fatigue. Stay the course despite all the difficult side effects, this medication has cleared up my ear infection. I’m currently on day 9 of a 10-day treatment."

• lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2017

"I have a lot of ear infections due to an ENT issue and have been prescribed this twice in the past year. Both times it gave me horrible, vivid nightmares. It also leaves a horrible taste in the mouth for a few hours after taking a dose, and I seem to pee a lot for the first couple of hours too. It seems to work, but I think I'd prefer another antibiotic due to the above issues."

• Eve...
• January 3, 2018

"I suffer from geniculate neuralgia, and through my frustrations caused myself an agonizing ear infection. I was happy to hear that I could clear it up with antibiotics. Along with taking 1000 mg of this a day, I am also using a spray. Within an hour of taking my first tablet, I felt awful. I had instant abdominal cramps, was nauseous, and felt so weak that a 15-minute walk took twice as long. I also had a foul taste in my mouth. As the days have passed, I can report that my ear infection is clearing up, I hope, but I am constantly hungry, plus I have insomnia quite badly. I pray I never take these again, other side effects too, but they seem minor compared to some of the main ones."

• oHu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2022

"Put on this to help with throat pain - it helped. However, severe earache. Ear is very warm at times. I'm only on day 2 and have 7 days to do, my only hope is that it will get better. Also, a lot of diarrhea today."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2022

"The doctor prescribed two weeks of clarithromycin [500 mg] 1 tablet twice a day. Condition: Ear infection. I'm currently on day 6 of these tablets. Side effects: Metallic taste, stomach rumbles, and lack of appetite. Feeling drained and constantly tired. Diarrhea."

• Har...
• April 18, 2021

"I was given this antibiotic. I was on it for 7 days. After the first 2, I felt better, and then towards the end, I felt awful. I asked for my usual antibiotic that works, flucloxacillin, but was told this one was better as amoxicillin doesn't work at all. I went back to the GP, who gave me a second lot of the same antibiotic. Not in doubt, I will be contacting my GP on Monday for the one I originally asked for! I had a metallic taste in my mouth and nausea from taking the antibiotic. Everything tasted of metal, and I was awake at night in pain still. I think it depends on the person, but I didn't find this antibiotic very good. It's the first time I've taken it, and I wouldn't recommend it."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2022

"I was prescribed clarithromycin for an early infection in both ears. Within an hour, I had a racing heart rate of 140 beats per minute. I felt sick and had diarrhea, headache, terrible metallic taste, and dizziness, but the worst was total deafness. I couldn't hear anything, and as it's only been one day since my last dose, I'm frightened that my hearing will never return."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

"So far, I am on day 3/5 with this for a painful ear infection. My pain went away almost completely on day two, so I’m assuming things are working as intended. My only problem is the side effects. I have heart palpitations for a few hours after taking a dose. While I get heart palpitations occasionally, this medication definitely makes them more frequent. Also, the taste is absolutely horrendous. People are saying it’s not that bad, but for me, it tastes like constant envelope glue in my mouth for 11 hours straight. I’ve tried gum, snacking, brushing my teeth/tongue, and mouthwash. The pill itself is bitter, but the taste that practically excretes from my saliva lasts for 11 hours. Then, an hour later, I have to take the next dose, so it’s really a constant taste. I would chew gum constantly, but it irritates my ear infection and my jaw. Otherwise, this med is doing its job. The taste is terrible, but to me, it is bearable as long as it’s working."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2025

"I was prescribed this medication for a severe infection that wouldn’t clear up with other antibiotics. I read so many reviews and every single one of them sounded horrendous. I was terrified to take it. I’m now 3 days in and have been absolutely fine. I didn’t feel the taste in my mouth that I’ve seen multiple people say they suffered. The only side effect I have is a really bad headache, I do suffer with migraines, though, so that’s probably why it’s worse. I just wanted to write this review in case anyone else was in my position and read other reviews that sounded horrendous. They really are not that bad and my infection seems to be clearing up."

• Tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

"I know this is going to sound awful but relieved to read your comments... I've just finished my second dose of this today. In fact, I was on it about 6 weeks ago for chronic sinusitis. The first time I took it, I had the normal nausea. This time I thought I was going mad. Until I read the comments. I went to the doctors because I was experiencing off balance, dizziness, and ringing in my ears. I was diagnosed with an ear infection, and this time on taking this medication, the dizziness was worse. In fact, all symptoms were still there. I have a horrible taste, and I haven't slept properly either. In fact, the more I think about it, the more it seems that I've been like that since the first time round: palpitations, and I'm sure I've been experiencing hallucinations. I never will take this again. I am unable to take anything with penicillin, which is a shame. Also, tremors haven't gone. I hope that the side effects ease off in the next 24 hours."

• iii...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2018

"Was treated for a possible middle ear infection. GP noticed an inflamed eardrum. I had symptoms of dizziness, panic attacks, lightheadedness, and blurred vision. The antibiotic didn't help probably because it was not a bacterial infection. Also tried penicillin - didn't work. To this day, I have no idea what it was, but it has been lasting two months already with symptoms changing and gradually reducing in intensity. Recently got hives. What helped was a trip to the psychologist and physiotherapy on my neck because it was very stiff. Took it for one week. The only side effect I got was a bitter taste in the mouth, but I honestly liked it because it tasted like gin and tonic :) Would recommend drinking a course of probiotics to restore gut bacteria."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2019

"Since taking just one 500 mg dose of clarithromycin, I have had a racing heart that’s not getting better, a headache that’s not gone, and buzzing in my ear. When will this stop?"

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2018

Clarithromycin "I did not have any problems taking Biaxin! It worked really fast!"

• Lel...
• June 5, 2019

"Worst tablets ever. I feel they made me worse, as if I wasn't feeling bad enough. Now I've chest pain, a terrible taste in my mouth, and feel so weak, with just a constant feeling I'm gonna vomit."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2021

"Been taking clarithromycin for 5 days now. Awful antibiotic, keeps leaving a metallic taste in mouth and painful trapped wind. Never again."