Clarithromycin for Sinusitis User Reviews (Page 3)

• Pro...
• April 30, 2019

Clarithromycin "I just came down with sinusitis, something I've had in past years. I'm now in the second day of taking Biaxin's generic (Clarithromycin) and on day one, several hours after the first dose, I began to feel better. Now into day two, the symptoms have lessened, but they're still there. I've had good luck with Biaxin in the past, and its generic is living up to that performance. 10 days should clear this up completely."

• MR8...
• December 31, 2010

Clarithromycin "I have been prescribed Biaxin twice in the past three months. The first onset of sinusitis took 6 weeks to clear. 1 week before Christmas, it comes back with the worst pressure. 2 ER visits later, they tell me the sinusitis is back. This round with Biaxin has left me: dehydrated, constant bathroom trips after eating anything, weight loss (12 lbs in 2 weeks)."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2011

Clarithromycin "Second antibiotic I've been on for this sinus infection (Z-pack didn't clear it up). I am slowly getting better, but I have all the unpleasant but evidently not dangerous side effects: nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, sour taste in my mouth. I dread taking the pill because for the next two hours I have to lay my head on my desk because of nausea and dizziness. Even at night, I go to sleep but wake up three hours later feeling like I'm going to vomit."

• NJH...
• November 15, 2015

"7 days out of 10. Some sinus improvement, but the vile taste in my mouth is awful. Desperately trying to make sure I continue taking the tablets, but not sure I can cope with the erratic sleep and waking up in the night with my mouth feeling like a sewer. Paranoid that my breath must smell as bad as the taste, so overdoing the mouthwash!"

• She...
• October 10, 2015

"Was prescribed this for URI/Sinus infection. Took a total of 2.5 days then experienced extreme anxiety, but not the 'heart pounding out of your chest, can't breathe, think I'm going to die' kind of anxiety, but the 'I'M LOSING MY MIND, CAN'T TELL REALITY FROM REALITY, WANT TO CURL UP IN THE CORNER & DIE' kind of anxiety. Went to ER, given a shot to calm me down. TERRIBLE medicine, side effect, you couldn't pay me to take it again."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2018

"I have been taking Biaxin for 6 days. I was horribly sick to the extent that I couldn’t even get out of bed. I was so miserable. I had sinus pain, throat infection, and annoying cough (the kind that keeps you awake all night and makes you pee your pants). It is true, Biaxin gives this unpleasant metallic taste that stays with you 24 hours a day, but it works. I guess your experience depends on how sick and miserable you feel. I would rather experience the metallic taste than feeling so sick."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2010

Clarithromycin "I was prescribed this for a sinus infection twice. First time was last year. It worked, and I felt better in about five days. However, I had nausea and a nasty taste in my mouth every time I took it. This year, it was prescribed for the same thing. I still have the sinus infection, and the side effects were worse. My doctor chose this drug because I am allergic to sulfa drugs."

• Var...
• April 29, 2014

"I have had a sinus infection since February of this year. Been on antibiotics twice and nasal spray, none of which had helped. After the 2nd course of antibiotics, I developed a raging flu, which kept me in bed. When it was not clearing, 10 days later, returned to my doc and was given clarithromycin, a 7-day course. I have been told about the metallic taste, which I can cope with as long as it clears up this dreadful infection."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

"I have a LOT of allergies to antibiotics, so clarithromycin is one of two that I can take. That being said, it works better than the Z-Pak that I am normally prescribed for sinus infections. I unfortunately get them every few months. Last time I had a sinus infection, I took the Z-Pak, and by the end of the course, I was still really sick, so my doctor prescribed me clarithromycin. It is more effective, but the side effects for me are pretty bad. It makes my stomach hurt pretty badly, despite trying to eat before taking it, makes me feel dizzy, and leaves a gross metallic taste in my mouth. Sometimes it makes me feel kind of panicky, but it normally goes away pretty quickly. It has also been giving me some pretty terrifying dreams since I started it. Overall, I would rather deal with the unpleasant side effects than deal with a sinus infection, so I would definitely say it's effective."

• ZeE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2016

"After four years of chronic sinusitis with total loss of smell unless taking prednisone, I was given clarithromycin. An initial 7-day course didn't quite cut it, but after a further 3 days, I can now smell and breathe for the first time in years!! Yes, it does have some not pleasant side effects, worst being nausea and leaving a horrible taste in your mouth, but these are worth putting up with for the quality of life I have now got back.. Food is once again worth eating. Let's just hope it stays this way."

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

Clarithromycin "I started coming down with a chest cold that I knew would turn into bronchitis. I called my doctor, and he prescribed Biaxin 500 mg twice daily, as I ended up having sinusitis as well. After the 3rd day of taking this med, I was feeling better and not coughing quite as much. I had no side effects and rated this a 9 because of the aftertaste it leaves in your mouth. I always ate something before taking it and had no stomach issues. Overall, this really helped me get through my sickness."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2016

"Have only been on this medicine for two days, and I am debating over whether or not I should continue taking the rest. Thankfully, no hallucinations or nightmares. However, the aftertaste is horrible. You can't get rid of it. Everything you eat and drink tastes awful. Gum and mints help with the taste. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do when it is time to go to bed. Not sure if the tummy cramps are from the illness or from this medicine."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2015

"I was actually given this for a bad ear infection, which I think now has gone. But I feel anxiety, cannot sleep, my eyes are blurry, it made the noise in my ears worse, and my muscles felt strange, jelly-like. As much as it is good to feel no pain, the feeling that you could put a knife through you and you would not feel it makes you feel crazy. My stomach is in pain from time to time and running to the loo. My throat feels like I need to constantly clear it, gritty in the back. My mouth is so dry and has a metallic taste. Thank goodness I have one more day of this drug that is driving me crazy."

• Gin...
• January 15, 2017

"I have been sick for nearly 3 weeks now. I had pneumonia and a sinus infection. I had a full course of Levaquin and 60 mg of Prednisone a day, and while it did help at first, it did not clear up the sinus infection. 2 days after taking my last dose, I couldn't breathe and had the sinus infection trigger a migraine, causing me to throw up on top of everything else. I was rushed to the Dr., where I was given 3 shots (steroids, Rocephin, and Toradol/Zofran) and put on 500 mg twice a day of clarithromycin. This antibiotic has been a Godsend for me. Yes, my stomach gets crampy, I have mild nausea, and very vivid dreams, but after 4 days of this medicine, I am feeling so much stronger. I absolutely recommend it."

• che...
• March 19, 2015

"I noticed they made my sinus unblock pretty quick, but I had to go to the doctor and change them to amoxicillin. With clarithromycin, I had heart palpitations, sweats, and horrific nightmares along with a tension headache. Was horrible. I thought I was gonna pass out."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2011

"I was experiencing extreme thirst and a bad taste in my mouth after two doses of this medicine. My boyfriend suggested I drink some Gatorade, and that helped tremendously with the thirst and the bad taste. I hope this tip works for some other people dealing with these side effects, as they were not fun. I drink water all day, every day, but I just couldn't quench."

• col...
• November 12, 2015

"I started to take this antibiotic two days ago, I have a 7-day course. I find it's working, but I have no appetite. When I do eat, I feel so nauseous. I keep getting awful wind pains from the minute I take the tablet, and they last all day. Has anybody else experienced this? The wind in my stomach is so sore."

• SML...
• June 6, 2017

"2 pills a day for 7 days. Wow. I am finally done taking this medication for an ear infection that was caused by a sinus infection. I had almost all the side effects listed, sadly. Heart palpitations, headache, nausea, hunger pains, acid reflux, insomnia, diarrhea, and metallic taste in my mouth all night long! Unreal. It's my last day, and although I feel better, I now feel like I am recovering from all the side effects of this drug! My advice is to take it with a lot of food and probiotics! You will need to find a way to counteract all the side effects! I'm not sure it's even worth taking, to be honest. Heart palpitations alone made me feel like I had a heart attack waiting to happen."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2018

"Was prescribed this after amoxicillin did not do the trick for a nasty sinus infection. This did the trick, but I will never take it again! The metallic taste in my mouth is out of control. I eat all day trying to make it go away. I am stopping after 9 days - can't do it anymore! Ugh."

• ksc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2017

"Prescribed clarithromycin to treat sinus, ear, throat, and lung infection (possible pneumonia). After six days, I feel much better. I had splitting sinus headaches, and they have stopped. Still have congested sinuses and cough, but diminishing. No GI effects (no nausea, no diarrhea). Nasty metallic taste in mouth, especially on waking in the morning, but I prefer that to the difficulty breathing. No hallucinations or nightmares, just very vivid dreams, which I actually enjoy."

• ABe...
• March 30, 2013

"After a terrible flu, I had an upper respiratory infection and sinusitis. Was first on Z-pack, with no improvements, then on Levaquin, which gave me horrible side effects, nausea, an allergic reaction in the face, and extreme fatigue. I was feeling worse than without the medicines, so I got switched to Biaxin, and right on day one, I experienced lots of improvements. I am on day two and feeling better, not 100% yet, but way better. I do have a metallic taste and a little bit of an upset stomach, but probiotics are helping tremendously to control it. I am going to try the dark chocolate tomorrow! So far, I am happy with the treatment."

• pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2016

"The most disgusting taste in my mouth even made my toothbrush smell weird. Nasty chemical smell/taste, headache, blurry eyes, lack of concentration, nausea, stomach bloating and churning, vomited when brushing teeth. Horrible antibiotic, calling GP tomorrow to arrange for an alternative antibiotic, cannot stand the taste or side effects."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2016

"I was prescribed 500 mg of clarithromycin for a week for severe sinusitis and a very sore throat. I'd had the sore throat for a week, and it was getting worse. It started to clear up after a couple of days of taking these. Haven't noticed much effect for the sinusitis, but haven't had any side effects except for really weird and vivid dreams. I woke up rather upset this morning! So they worked for me (especially as I am horribly allergic to amoxicillin), but I'll be glad when the horrible dreams go back to normal!"

• Fia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2018

"I cannot in good conscience recommend this drug. I was prescribed it for a recurring sinus infection for 10 days and had to stop it after 6 days. The metallic taste it gave me in my mouth has not gone away and it is one month since I finished taking clarithromycin/Biaxin. I'm in disbelief and horror that an antibiotic has done this to me. It's affected my sense of taste terribly and given me a very dry mouth 24/7 - really unpleasant. I also had the nightmares that other patients have mentioned and am shocked that this seems to be another side effect. I will be avoiding this antibiotic at all costs in the future and just really hope that the metallic taste/dry mouth rights itself over time - although I don't feel hopeful after a month."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

"I was instructed to take this clarithromycin antibiotic for 10 days for a suspected sinus infection. The joke is that my doctor didn't do any testing to make sure that I had a bacterial sinus infection - it could've been viral or fungal, but I was just handed these drugs and sent on my way. I got all the usual side effects: upset stomach, the worst bloating ever, and gas all day long. I took them with food, but it still affected me. The bitter taste in my mouth was disgusting but tolerable. By day 5, heartburn struck, and I felt very unstable mentally and physically. I began to get oral thrush caused by these tablets, and this is when I gave up. I couldn't push myself to take anymore, and now I have to take more medicine to clear the thrush. I can't even give the tablets any credit for clearing my infection because I may not have needed them to begin with."