Clarithromycin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2023

"Biaxin is very effective. I get sinus and upper respiratory infections at least twice a year, requiring antibiotics. Besides the metallic taste in your mouth, no downsides... And the taste lets you know it's working."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2022

"I had an upper respiratory tract infection last month and had a few in my cupboard, so I started on them. I don’t have an iron constitution, but they never made me feel sick, which was a massive bonus. My GP gave me enough to make up to a week's supply. They completely cured my infection."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2022

Clarithromycin "When I got the script for this antibiotic, the pharmacist warned me about the bitter/metallic taste that was one of the side effects. I did not experience this at all (perhaps because of the fact that I had lost my sense of smell?). Within the first two days, I started to feel better (sinuses and coughing were abated to a significant degree, my raspy voice started to become normal again, etc., etc.). I had few to no side effects. For one, it is indicated to take with food. In the morning, I ate a packet of instant oatmeal before taking this medication. I am not a breakfast eater, but I forced breakfast upon myself. I also ate LOTS of plain yogurt: 750g tub for lunch every day. Indeed, I had very little appetite, so eating soft foods helped. I am two pills away from finishing my 7-day (500mg twice daily) course of this medicine, and I can say that I am happy with the results. By the way, I rarely take antibiotics, so I doubt this is why I had few to no side effects."

• Agn...
• November 18, 2017

"Bitter taste in your mouth all the way through! On the first day, had heart racing and high blood pressure, so I had to call an ambulance! On the third day, severe headache and worsening reflux. On the fifth day, nausea, lack of sleep, vomiting, funny feeling in my throat and chest, supposed to be caused by reflux. It leaves you feeling really weak and sweaty, but overall helped with my chest infection when everything else failed and my hope was lost. I also had vivid dreams, didn't like that, too."

• THE...
• April 2, 2017

"On day 3 of 5 of this antibiotic... Horrible taste, dizziness, and I feel my symptoms seem more exaggerated since beginning the antibiotic. Don't think I'll finish the course, should have just asked for amoxicillin."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

"This is the worst antibiotic I have ever taken. Constant horrible headache 24/7 combined with insomnia... Had to change to other antibiotics after ten days of horror. Felt like I was awake in a constant nightmare."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2021

"Part 1: Well, after reading all these comments, I'm perplexed by the many complaints about this antibiotic's side effects. Always take them with a full 8 oz glass of water on top of the meal. Also, antibiotics get rid of bacteria, they don’t discriminate against the good gut bacteria, so yes, you might get diarrhea. Eat plenty of yogurt (plain Greek yogurt, no sugars or preserved fruit in the bottom) or have probiotics while taking antibiotics."

• Bij...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2021

"Yes, disgusting taste and nausea. I was given this when I was very ill, and it prevented me from going into the hospital. I’m life-threateningly allergic to a number of antibiotics, so it was a relief to get this. So I didn’t mind the taste really."

• VBa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 16, 2019

"Went to the doctor 8 days ago and have bronchitis. Could not cough up crud that was in my chest. He prescribed clarithromycin, 500 mg, and prednisone. 2 days into treatment, started coughing up crud. I have had a bad taste and bad odors, headache. Lots of clearish mucus from sinuses and chest crud yellow and solid. I went back to the doctor today and got augmentin and singulair. Maybe if it doesn't kill me, I'll recover."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2017

"Since I am allergic to penicillin, this is the 'go-to drug.' This medicine will give you a horrible taste in your mouth, will cause nausea even when taking it on a full stomach, or feel the nausea to extreme levels/vomit, dizziness, and cause diarrhea until your course is finished. You will also lose your appetite and will have to take repeated prescriptions of this medication for God knows how long just to get rid of any infection, whether simple or complex. It is the same in my case of a chest infection for which I am taking this. I have no other symptoms to write of, and I have been handed these for infections for years. They will work in time, but only after at least 2 weeks of constantly taking them."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2025

"I’m allergic to penicillin, and in the last five years, I have had sinusitis, and I am currently overcoming a chest infection. Both times, doxycycline has been prescribed and hasn't worked. I have then been told to take 500 mg twice a day of clarithromycin. I have a sickness phobia, so reading reviews always worries me, but taking it this time has reminded me how great this antibiotic is! After the first dose, I did feel dizzy, metallic taste, and very nauseous, but this improved after 3-4 hours. Second dose: metallic taste and hunger pains. On day two, with the same side effects, but I feel so much better! Can lay down without coughing, breathlessness gone, chest pain gone, fever gone. Yes, this antibiotic's side effects aren't great, but it does the job!!"

• amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2021

"First few times they made me feel nauseous after, but I made sure to have something to eat just to put a lining on my stomach, then it wasn’t so bad. I hate the taste it leaves in my mouth, tastes like when you throw up, but it’s just acid/bile, it’s horrible. Overall, after already doing one course of antibiotics (doxycycline) and it didn’t work, clarithromycin is definitely doing its job."

• Nic...
• August 14, 2017

"I was prescribed this medication for a nasty chest infection. I lasted 3 days and couldn't handle the anxiety and depression that came along with the antibiotics. I felt tired and extremely edgy all the time. I felt like I was going crazy with all the racing thoughts. I had to take a Valium to calm myself down. Never again!"

• eni...
• November 20, 2013

Clarithromycin "Only been on for 3 days, still coughing a bit, but feel much better overall. Pharmacist told me to eat yogurt or take probiotics, so maybe that's why I'm not experiencing any side effects at all."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2011

Clarithromycin "Caused my saliva to taste bitter (not fun) and caused stomach cramps and diarrhea. But I can breathe now."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2010

Clarithromycin "Caused very bad stomach cramps."

• Bel...
• March 24, 2020

"Clarithromycin left a terrible taste in my mouth, especially around the back of my throat."

• Vau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2013

"On the 10th day of my treatment, I started itching. Mostly in the ankle area, middle of the stomach, and hip area. Have noticed small itchy areas elsewhere, but not as much as the aforementioned."

• Jas...
• December 9, 2018

"This medicine has some bad taste, but I found the cure. Use chewing gum at all times during the period of having the medicine."

• jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2022

"Aside from its bitter taste, my stomach also hurts after hours of intake. It's my fifth day taking it, and my cough is still dry. I will sure find another medicine."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2018

"Started taking this yesterday, had 3. Terrible diarrhea, been sick, feel awful. I'm not taking any more of them."

• Zaw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2017

"Horrible chemical taste in my mouth every morning. Although it has cleared up the majority of my chest infection, I now have thrush. Oh, the joys."

• Ahm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2021

"I took Klaricid 500 mg twice a day to overcome a respiratory tract infection. I have eaten only two tablets today, and now I have a sore mouth, taste, and stomach pain, as well as vomiting."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2018

"I had a really bitter taste in my mouth, even after brushing my teeth 3 times a day. I also had an upset stomach, but they cleared the infection quickly."