Clarithromycin for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

• B p...
• February 21, 2017

"I have been on them for 2 days, and I'm suffering from them. The taste in my mouth is like perfume, I'm vomiting, and the bad taste doesn't help. It's made me feel so unwell. I'm taking them for an infection in my upper leg. I hate them and won't take them again."

• Cav...
• August 17, 2020

"I had a recurrence of stomach abscess a few weeks ago. Prescribed clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day after first antibiotics didn’t work. Had a week's course that certainly helped the abscess. Requested another week's course as I still felt slightly sore. Second course (different manufacturer) gave me the metallic taste and diarrhea within a day or so. Also bloating/gas with chest pains so bad that I ended up getting an ECG to rule out a heart attack. Had palpitations too. Stopped taking on day 6 as I felt too rough. That was 3 days ago, and I still have an upset tummy. No diarrhea but very gassy and some chest/back pain along with it. Feels like I'm slowly getting better. Because of the stomach pains, it’s hard to know if my abscess has gone as it’s the same area. This has caused me a lot of anxiety. If the drug actually worked and the side effects are just temporary (and not serious), then I might take it again, but right now I don't like this antibiotic. I might post another review in a week's time and see how I am then."

• Lym...
• July 29, 2016

"I was taking doxycycline but was switched to clarithromycin since it's summer and can't be in the sun with doxy. Clarithromycin doesn't seem as strong as the doxy for me at 500 mg 2x a day, to get peak results. I too get a metal taste in my mouth when taking this. I experience some fatigue, but I'm not sure if it is from the meds not being as strong as doxy. Some people have mentioned stomach aches etc., like the person taking it for H. pylori. That experience is die-off of bacteria which causes the stomach aches etc. called herxing. The bacteria release toxins into our body after they are killed, and that is what causes the awful feeling. It is actually a good thing that doesn't last more than 2 hours or so. Killing the bacteria is the goal."

• OK...
• December 9, 2017

"I was prescribed Clarithromycin because I asked for an antibiotic that wouldn't upset my stomach. Well, it didn't do that, but by day 3, I was feeling sick most of the time and finding it hard to sleep. I could have coped with that, but I also had the indescribable, awful taste in my mouth which, although it doesn't sound like much, became unbearable. Everything I ate tasted of it, and my breath and urine smelled of it. It's unfortunate because the drug did seem to be working, but I had to go back to my doctor and ask to be prescribed something else. I hope I never have to take this again."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2020

"Was prescribed this clarithromycin a week ago for an abscess and have thankfully just taken the last of my course. I had an abscess which is thankfully healing, and I thank these antibiotics for that, but I can’t even describe how bad the taste in my mouth has been, always peaking a couple of hours after I’ve taken them and through the night. It is disgusting, and I have a sore tongue. I can only describe it as a constant taste of poison or, like I saw someone else say, like someone has sprayed a whole can of hairspray in your mouth."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2016

"Doc put me on this drug as a 'broad spectrum' for a suspected bacterial infection. What started out okay (bad taste but no other side effects) turned into HELL. On day six, this drug's side effects came on strong. Horrible taste, AWFUL nightmares to the point where I would lay in the bath or repeatedly read a poster in my room to avoid falling asleep. Stomach pain and nausea were unbearable, and I was very disoriented."

• Vix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

"I too have experienced the metallic taste in my mouth and a bit of 'gastric distress,' but the infection in my hair follicle that I had been waiting in vain to heal on its own for about 3 months is almost gone after 4 days. Amazed by how quick it worked, so bearing in mind the side effects, I'm still really impressed with the speed of results."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

"Been prescribed this to try to get my swollen lymph nodes down before being tested for lymphoma. The only side effects I'm getting are increased hunger and hunger pangs. I'm on 500 mg twice a day. Gave a 7 because it's very tolerable compared to other antibiotics, but it doesn't seem to be helping my problem."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

"On my 3rd clarithromycin tablet up to now for a very painful infected cyst in my mouth. After the first tablet, I began to notice improvement just hours after. Seems to be working really well. Bad metallic taste in mouth and very unusual dreams and thoughts as I'm going to sleep. As somebody who loves dreaming, though, this is a bonus in a way, lol."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2018

"Took this after I had a tooth extracted that had an abscess. My jaw swelled up, and I was in extreme pain. Took 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. I experienced heart racing, tremors, nausea, and a bitter taste coming from my gums. I couldn't sleep for more than a couple of hours. The swelling went down slowly, and I have finished the course. But 2 days off it now, and I'm still having palpitations and a terrible taste not sleeping well either. I have started on a course of probiotics and using saltwater mouth rinses to help with the horrible taste. I told my dentist about the heart racing and bad taste, she told me I wasn't eating enough! Will add this to my list of drugs NEVER to be taken again...EVER."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

"Have been prescribed two 500 mg clarithromycin each day for 1 week. End of day one, had a funny metallic taste in my mouth, but by day two, this has gone. From what I have read, this is quite common. It seems to be working well so far and has reduced the lump under my arm a little bit already. I'll finish the full course, and hopefully, it'll be all sorted."

• Goe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2019

"I have chronic halitosis and sinusitis. When I first took this drug, clarithromycin, I had this bitter and metal taste in my mouth that doesn't go away. It's so uncomfortable. But when a day passed, I still took it, and I realized that it decreases the smell of my mouth and maybe also my nose because I have this feeling of people smelling some bad odor coming out of my nose when I'm sitting with them..."

• ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

"Never will I ever take this antibiotic ever again. Allergic to penicillin, so given these as an alternative, and honestly would rather have the allergic reaction to penicillin, they make me feel that awful! Throwing up, disgusting taste, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness, no thank you! Never again."

• Min...
• September 22, 2018

"I have had an ulcer on my tonsil pillar right side. It started out small like a pencil tip eraser. Then grew to the size of an almond. It's been a week since it started. I was almost in tears trying to eat soup. And it kept growing. So I went to the doctor, and he gave me these antibiotics because I am immune to penicillin, 'amoxicillin.' I take 2 in the morning and 2 at night, along with anti-inflammatory and pain drugs. It's been about 48 hours, and it is already decreasing in size. Side effects, if not eaten with a good amount of food, are diarrhea, sweats, and the worse awful taste in my mouth. But if you suck on scotch mints, 'the real ones,' it's fine, you don't even notice. I didn't eat a proper meal the first 2 pills. After that, I did and only side effects are light diarrhea and a bad taste in my mouth. If I needed to take this again, I would. The side effects for me are worth seeing a difference in 48 hours."

• Idk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2017

"I have taken this, and I had a very bitter taste in my mouth and still do as the course isn't finished, but I do not want to take it anymore. Couldn't stop coughing, and I haven't got a cold but have got a coughing tic, however, it was worse with this medicine. Please try to avoid taking this unless you absolutely have to."

• run...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2018

"I was prescribed this tablet by my GP for a toe infection. I was also told to go to A and E if the infection did not clear up after three days, as I am allergic to penicillin. I found the tablets hard to swallow. I had a really nasty taste in my mouth after taking it. I had a stomach ache and felt dizzy. I was given 500 mg to take twice a day. The infection does seem to be improving slowly."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

"I got given these for my eczema. They are the worst tablets I've ever taken. I struggle to take them now because once I took one, I got ever so tired, and I can't be like that as I'm a single mom to a 1-year-old. These tablets leave a nasty taste in your mouth, and they make you feel so sick. The only good thing about them is they are working, they have calmed my eczema down so much."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2017

"Not sure what I have as the doctors refuse to run any tests, but I've basically got something with sinuses and a really bad cough nearing two months now. I first got Amoxicillin, which got rid of the tickly cough, but otherwise may have actually made it worse (but on the bright side, I had minimal side effects). This one seems to have minimized the actual coughing fits, but by day 5 it hasn't fixed much else, unfortunately. I was otherwise physically exhausted as well, but the first two days of these were a complete knockout for me. I'd sleep 12h, take the pill, be up for 2h before desperately needing a nap. I also got the constant metallic taste and upset stomach/diarrhea and trouble falling asleep. Definitely need probiotics with these."

• FP0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2022

"Have been prescribed 7 days, but 3 days in, have seen no benefit, only side effects. Lots of appetite, dehydrated, trouble sleeping, diarrhea. My infection has not decreased. I've just read it can take up to 7 days for clarithromycin to start working, which is too long when you can barely walk for the pain. I have been given a dose of 1000 mg a day, it's easy enough to take."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

"To start with, it was okay till day 5 came around and my nose dried out and got clogged. I'm not very happy I was given this drug to take. Also, when I have a drink to get rid of the dryness, it does not take the dryness away, it makes my stomach upset really badly. It did start to clear my sinuses, then now made me feel really crap. Never again, I have complained to the doctor about this. Not very happy I was given this. Wish I never took it."

• per...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

"I'm taking clarithromycin in combo with other medicines for H. pylori. I am coughing up stuff, going up from GERD, anxiety feels like my heart has to work harder. Probably going to work, but very difficult drug to take with metronidazole."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2021

"I was recently prescribed Clarithromycin (500 mg) once a day, and the first days taking it were alright. Then, after a week of treatment, I started intense migraines and back pain. I also felt like fainting and was sweating a lot. Last night, I was panicked as I could not sleep (was awake until 6 am). My heart started beating out of control and followed a panic attack with chills. I could barely breathe and was about to go to the A and E to get it checked out, but I thankfully read the other reviews on this medication. Please think twice before taking this! Moreover, it didn't help my skin infection, so it did more damage than repair."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2021

"I was diagnosed with ureaplasma. Doc prescribed me clarithromycin 500 mg once daily. First of all, I was more freaked out about taking meds instead because of the infection. The first day I had a terrible taste and light diarrhea. Second day, the taste was better, but I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest (due to my GERD, and the antibiotic made it worse). Third day, stomach upset, bloating, same burning in the chest, but the taste in my mouth was better. Still 2 days left to finish. Side effects are bad but can manage, but honestly, I would not like to take it again."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2016

"Tastes really bad. First time feeling so regretful for taking a medicine."

• Kri...
• April 12, 2015

"Worked well but left a ridiculously bad taste in my mouth, especially overnight and morning. Blah!!! Bit of an upset stomach."