Clarithromycin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sof...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Clarithromycin is honestly the worst drug I have ever taken. Anxiety, restlessness, the worst taste in my mouth, and unquenchable thirst. I am only on my third tablet, I have 10 to take in total (2 x 500 mg per day). I dread having to take it. Last night was the first night, and I must have slept for a max of 2 hours. I kept waking up with this horrible taste and feeling as if I was going to vomit. Taking this feels like I’ve been poisoned and so far has done nothing to alleviate my ear infection or the pain it’s causing me. Never taking this stuff again."

• BAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "The first day on clarithromycin for a URTI, I was fine. Then, after that, I started with nausea, a jittery feeling, and a headache. On the 3rd day, I was going lightheaded as well. Now, on day 7 of 7, with 1 tablet to go, I have all but given up, as I feel awful. My chest infection has slightly cleared, I think, but the side effects are not worth it, and I won't use these again. I hope the side effects don't last too long after finishing the course."

• Zdl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2018

For Dental Abscess "I've developed a horrendous taste in my mouth, it hasn't gone away. It's currently 3:39 in the morning. I'm awake with insomnia, mostly due to the horrifying taste that seems etched into my taste buds. I've barely slept. I've also had awful headaches. I've been incredibly dizzy and weak and have barely left bed. I've experienced wildly exacerbated anxiety. The first and second night, I was up checking my pulse every five minutes, feeling like I was about to die. As well as this, just a general feeling of being out of it, foggy, and not myself. I've even experienced really dark thoughts, which again is completely out of character, I have never been like this in my life. I rang my GP, and she basically dismissed this even though they're all listed as actual side effects on the packaging. It's also worth mentioning that I take them at the same time like clockwork, with a probiotic and a huge jug of water, which has definitely helped me stave off any severe GI symptoms."

• Abs...
• March 6, 2017

For Sinusitis "Prescribed this antibiotic today for sinus pain. Read the leaflet and had doubts as the list of possible side effects was enormous, but have been plagued with post-nasal drip and face pain for a week, so went ahead and took tablet one at about 2 p.m. Couldn't finish evening meal, although hungry, as began to feel very nauseous. An hour later, my stomach is gurgling and popping like mad, and I feel like I'm going to throw up. I positively detest being physically sick. The very thought of vomiting is making me ill. I also feel jittery, a bit like anxiety. This is a nightmare and totally not worth it. Will not be taking gigantic tablet number two, bah!"

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "This medication, clarithromycin, is the worst. The side effect of the metallic taste in your mouth lasts for hours and days. (Tastes like hairspray or something toxic in your mouth.) Comes and goes, but very often. I get stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea, and really bad indigestion when eating food. Makes it really difficult to finish a meal. Feeling extremely ill, run down. Had bouts of insomnia and anxiety. I’ve had to be on this medication twice in the last month, and honestly, I’m guttered to be on it again. It really is like taking poison, the side effects are horrible, but I’m trying to push through it. Good luck if you’re prescribed this, I just want to cry."

• Dal...
• August 9, 2015

For Sinusitis "On the third day of treatment for a severe sinus infection that Amoxy wouldn't clear. Drainage has slowed somewhat, but the nose is really dry and painful. Taking Flonase and Mucinex along with Singulair. Side effects: anxiety, irritability, strange depressive thoughts, and a metallic taste in the mouth, burning urination, and a slight tummy ache."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I am allergic to penicillin, so I always have to take clarithromycin or erythromycin or doxycycline. I am on day 4 of 7 clarithromycin, and my infected insect bite has massively improved, but the awful metallic taste keeps waking me up and stays all day, every day that I take it. I am also nauseous and bloated, I have severe mental issues as it is, and it’s making me more anxious. I’m also more exhausted than usual, which, considering I have fibromyalgia, is an achievement. I hate the side effects, but I can’t argue that it works."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was on triple therapy after a blood test that revealed I was positive for an early infection of H. pylori. Day 1-2, I had a lot of anxiety about taking the meds, but had absolutely no side effects except dark stool. Day 3-7, I actually started feeling significantly better, but developed that bitter taste. Day 8-12, I started getting frequent panic attacks out of nowhere, fast heart rate, shakiness, weakness, feeling like I'm going to die, insomnia, brain fog, you name it. It really felt like someone took me out of my body and put me into a nightmare zone. I went to a pharmacist, and they told me that clarithromycin couldn't be the cause, but a quick Google told me I wasn't alone. Day 13-14 were much more mild, definitely manageable. That being said, these side effects are the minority. I'm just another user that wasn't warned and was quite frightened. Antibiotics are prescribed for a reason, so the benefits will outweigh the chance you end up like this. And if you're worried, always ask a doc!"

• MCC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2016

For Bronchitis "The first 5 doses were fine, helped with my bronchitis, felt a lot better. Day 6 & 7 I have been hallucinating. Thought someone was trying to break into my house last night. Swore I heard someone trying to open the front door. I locked all the doors in the house, turned on the outside lights, and turned off the inside lights. I closed as many windows as possible without waking up my mom and hid in my bathroom with a knife and my cellphone in case I needed to call the police. I was scared shitless. I almost had an anxiety attack, my heart was racing faster than ever before. I could hardly breathe and was shaking intensely. I don't feel right. I alerted my cats who roamed the house looking out the windows trying to see what I was so scared of."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Got prescribed clarithromycin for a cut on my hand so that it doesn’t get infected. Worst antibiotic I’ve ever taken. The dose is 500 mg twice a day, and every time I take it, I feel sick and get the worst headache. My stomach feels so heavy, like there are rocks weighing me down. The first day I took it, my heart started beating really fast, and I got so paranoid I couldn’t even sleep. I have general anxiety, and this just made it x10 worse. These antibiotics are also huge, so I would not recommend them to people who can't swallow tablets. Not to mention this disgusting metallic taste in my mouth all day!! Would not recommend! Would rather my hand get infected than feeling like this."

• Utp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "It actually took me 2 days to start taking clarithromycin. I read the reviews and became terrified. I went back to the pharmacy to ask if they had capsule form or if I could break it up. I was advised no. They told me that they have liquid form, but I had to contact the GP again. I just thought I can wait, I need to psych myself. I bought some apple juice and psyched myself and did it. I felt so proud as I find it difficult swallowing big tablets. 1st day good, I could breathe, second day no side effects as such, third day sleeping problems, 4th day insomnia and anxiety, 5th day insomnia, extreme anxiety, vivid dreams, uncontrollable thoughts of doom, extreme sore throat that left me awake all night. I'm now on the 6th day, I was going to stop, as I don’t want a secondary infection. The pharmacist told me to continue, so on day 6. It has not been easy, but the sore throat, insomnia, and excessive anxiety are horrendous."

• Utp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "It actually took me 2 days to start taking clarithromycin. I read the reviews and became terrified. I went back to the pharmacy to ask if they had capsule form or if I could break it up. I was advised no. They told me that they have liquid form, but I had to contact the GP again. I just thought I can wait, I need to psych myself. I bought some apple juice and psyched myself and did it. I felt so proud as I find it difficult swallowing big tablets. 1st day good, I could breathe, second day no side effects as such, third day sleeping problems, 4th day insomnia and anxiety, 5th day insomnia, extreme anxiety, vivid dreams, uncontrollable thoughts of doom, extreme sore throat that left me awake all night. I'm now on the 6th day, I was going to stop, as I don’t want a secondary infection. The pharmacist told me to continue, so on day 6. It has not been easy, but the sore throat, insomnia, and excessive anxiety are horrendous."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2017

For Sinusitis "In the past six years, I have had three sinus infections. This drug cleared it up in a short time with no side effects. I suffer from IBS, so my GI doctor recommends this antibiotic as it is more gentle on the GI tract. He also told me to take one Florastor probiotic capsule each day and to eat yogurt with active cultures. I have had bad results with Augmentin – it gave me raging diarrhea. Levaquin has some really serious side effects and affected my Achilles tendon. I don't notice a vile taste – my tongue burns, and mine are vanilla flavored. If the size bothers you, tell your doctor to order the 250mg size and take two. I had palpitations and anxiety, though, and a rapid heartbeat for a while, but it could have been from Bentyl. Not sure."

• Sus...
• January 1, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was given this antibiotic for a chest infection and have stopped taking it as it made me feel so poorly. I had pains in my chest and my tummy, had diarrhea on the third day, and became very anxious. I was due to take a sixth tablet last evening, but I feel as if I am poisoning myself.... I will let my body heal itself."

• Xta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

For Middle Ear Infections "I found the frankly bizarre list of side effects made this intolerable. I feel they should be listed here for anyone who is told that antibiotics cannot influence psychological state or induce deep anxiety. I felt initially a build of gastric issues, dryness of mouth, headache - all okay things if a medication works. This progressed to blurred vision, awful confusion, and a concentration-destroying anxiety, making rational thought difficult. I then experienced a series of physical tremor-like symptoms, dizziness, muscle weakness, with the anxiety building to what felt like severe panic attacks, short bursts of arrhythmic-type tachycardia, and complete insomnia, coupled with an intensification of gastric issues and nausea. I hope these symptoms are rare and that most patients do not experience them at such intensity, but it can happen. With a little research, you may find in rarer cases it has induced mania. I am still feeling the symptoms (less so) despite finishing the drug. 2x500 mg, 7 days."

• NBa...
• September 15, 2019

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "The first 2 days on clarithromycin were a breeze, and I started to feel better, although I would advise taking this with food, as I didn’t once and nearly threw up everywhere. I did experience the metallic taste after each dose, and I would wake up feeling lethargic the first few days. However, after day 3, I started getting bad heart palpitations that would keep me up at night - I didn’t sleep for 2 days! Day 4, I was a mess, my anxiety skyrocketed, and I was very paranoid and still had the heart palpitations. After calling 111, I was advised to stop taking the drug and to never take it again. I visited an OOH doctor the next day, and I was put on 2 different antibiotics. The doctor said my tonsils and glands were still so swollen and irritated despite being on clarithromycin for 4 days. The side effects wore off 1-2 days after stopping clarithromycin. Please speak to a doctor ASAP if you have any sort of bad reaction to this drug, as it is a very strong and harsh antibiotic. I would not recommend."

• hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "I was put on clarithromycin for a horrible middle and outer ear infection... was fully deaf in my right ear for a week and had excruciating pain. I'm allergic to penicillin/amoxicillin, and another drug they tried first made me violently ill, so they tried this one... clarithromycin worked, but I had really bad side effects like a lot of others are mentioning... lightheadedness, awful anxiety, insomnia, racing heart, dizziness. I just felt so weak and could barely do my job at work. And that awful taste in the mouth!! There was just this nasty lingering bitterness for days. 4/10 because it was the best for me personally out of the antibiotics I've tried, but it's still bad. If I need antibiotics again, I'll be sure to avoid this one."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2018

For Strep Throat "Worst experience. I was prescribed this antibiotic for strep throat because I am allergic to penicillin. I am currently on day 5 of a 10-day course. I will no longer be taking this drug. It is 2 am and I am wide awake, all week I have been having crazy, vivid dreams, a disgusting, unbearable taste in my mouth at all times that just keeps getting worse, heart palpitations, anxiety-the list goes on. If you have a different option, please consider that. I wish someone had warned me about the awful side effects."

• Art...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2016

For Bronchitis "It's 2:45 am, I only wish I could experience these odd dreams everyone's talking about. It's day one of this garbage antibiotic. I cannot sleep, I feel like I did 50 lines of coke, I'm sweating, and my mouth tastes like a change dispenser. Couldn't pay me to take a second dose, let alone seven more days of this. No way. Calling the doctor in the am for a different antibiotic. This one is not worth it. I'm feeling very jittery and agitated, and the taste in my mouth is disgusting."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2022

For Middle Ear Infections "I had this antibiotic last week and also 4 months ago. Brand name 'Klacid.' The first time I had it, I had zero side effects. Age 50 and have had a lot of antibiotics before and usually have no side effects, so I didn't really think about it too much this time. It was fine for the first 3 days, except the third night I had a dream we were kidnapped by the mafia, and it was very distressing. On the 4th day, during the day, I had depressive 'what's the point of anything' thoughts and felt jittery with an erratic heartbeat. That night, I was trying to go to sleep, and as soon as I almost nodded off, my throat would close off and wake me in a fright. This went on for hours, and I got no sleep. Of course, now I see online that breathing issues are a side effect. 5th night, the same thing happened. I am currently delirious today. Rang the doctor, and she said to discontinue. Am currently hoping I get some sleep tonight, and it's made me very anxious."

• Bei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

For Bronchitis "My doctor said I have bronchitis, as I have had a cough for 3 weeks, but no fever and not feeling ill. I recently moved from a hot, humid climate to a cold, dry climate. I was put on this for 10 days, 2 times a day. The first night it knocked me out, and I felt like absolute garbage the next morning. I couldn't make it into work-nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anxiety, agitation, crying spells, and sweats, but it wore off throughout the day. I ended up going back to the doctor after I took another dose last night because I felt very agitated. I saw a different doctor this time, who stated I do not have bronchitis, just a seasonal cough from the move. She recommended I stay on for at least 3 days, just in case, but to use Benadryl, nasal spray, and Pepcid. I am on my 4th dose, and I feel crummy, but not as bad as the first day. I ate yogurt and took probiotics with the subsequent doses and did not have diarrhea. Hopefully, I will never have to take this again. I never had side effects like this with amoxicillin."

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I've been on clarithromycin twice, I knew the first course was brilliant after day one. However, my infection didn't clear up straight away. Afterwards, I was still experiencing a leaking ear and smell. I rang and told my doctor, and she prescribed me the same antibiotics. However, this time around, I am suffering from so many side effects. After 3 days, I have diarrhea and feeling sick, my anxiety attacks have gone through the roof, and I'm feeling tight-chested. On top of all of that, I am asthmatic, hot and cold sweats, and feeling really tired. I thought I was the only one, so it has helped me reading everyone else's reviews."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2022

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I've never written a review on a medication before, but felt it was important to share my experience. I was prescribed this despite suffering from anxiety, and it was the worst experience of my life. I became agitated, more anxious, and had suicidal ideation. I got a second opinion from another GP who said it should not have been prescribed to me and took me off it. I would not recommend this medication for anyone with anxiety, and being honest, not for anyone at all. Looking at the other reviews, it has caused psychosis in people who never had mental health issues prior to taking it. There are also clinical papers on this. As somebody else said in another review, RUN from this medication."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2022

For Mycoplasma Pneumonia "I only took one pill, and in the next few hours, I got a metallic taste in my mouth, great hunger, and very sharp stomach pain, like I drank pure ethanol. I also felt anxious and couldn't sleep, feeling very tired and like I was losing consciousness at one moment and hyperactive at the next. Not taking another pill!! Highly not recommended!"

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I have only taken 4 tablets. I got given it by a doctor, as I'm allergic to penicillin. I have suffered from fast heart rate, tingling in legs, anxiety, blurred vision, lack of appetite, feeling teary, impending sense of doom."