Clarithromycin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "I have been on clarithromycin for 2 days. The first day I took the medication, I experienced voracious hunger pains to where I had to eat a snack every 30 mins to an hour. The next morning, the hunger pains returned; thankfully, I had brought a variety of snacks to work, or else I would have been in trouble. Terrible anxiety; I am not sure if it has exacerbated an already existing anxiety disorder or if I am nervous about being on the medicine. I am awake now in the middle of the night because of an irresistible cough. I am wondering if this is allergies or a side effect of the medicine. This is a horrible antibiotic, and I am just praying I don't get the metallic taste in my mouth or the nightmares."

• axm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2018

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I'm taking a 7-day course of this antibiotic. I feel weirdly anxious and panicky on it. I also have stomach rumbling and sometimes nausea. I give it a 5 as it is curing my one-month cold, but I hate the side effects."

• RTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "GP is treating me for a respiratory infection and prescribed me 500 mg of clarithromycin twice a day for 7 days. These antibiotics are bad, I’m sure. The first day wasn’t too bad, but come day 2, the stomach pain, nausea, bitter taste, losing my sense of taste, and chronic headaches had started. I’m on day 6 and still have these side effects along with breathlessness, terrible dizziness, anxiety, and generally feeling like I’m not on this planet. My head feels like it doesn’t belong to me, which in turn doesn’t help the anxiety side effects-vicious circle! I’m at a loose end, but as I’ve only one day and my evening tablet to go, I will persevere. I hope these side effects don’t continue for too long once I’ve finished the course, or I think I may crack up!!"

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2021

For Skin and Structure Infection "Was put on clarithromycin 500 mg for a horse fly bite that got infected on my back, which caused the lymph node in my neck to swell. The first day of taking this medication was fine, but all went downhill from there: low mood, the most severe tummy pains, which led to the worst case of diarrhea I’ve ever had in my life, confusion, rapid heart, and anxiety. I stopped taking it after the third day. I would never recommend these tablets to anyone else, and I will never take them again! AVOID AVOID AVOID!!"

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed this for bacterial pneumonia, the first pill spaced me out, made me jittery, and gave me terrible stomach pains. I have never felt so unwell in my life! I am on day two and have had three pills so far, and I am just feeling awful. I have a vile, bitter taste that's very strong and ache all over, especially in my back and legs. My head has started to hurt, and I feel very tearful. I am a mum of five children, and I'm used to just getting on with it, but the side effects have knocked me for six. The only good thing is I have started to cough less. Be warned, they are very strong. I hope I start to feel better tomorrow or will be returning to the hospital."

• How...
• October 23, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Jan...
• September 24, 2016

"Within an hour of taking my first pill, I had an extremely unsettled stomach (much like bad hunger pains). The taste in my mouth was bad the first day, but when I got to the third, it was unbearable. No drink or chewing gum could get rid of it. Then, when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I started seeing things in my room and being EXTREMELY anxious and paranoid (I do suffer from anxiety, but this significantly worsened it). My dreams have been vivid and disturbing, this, joined with the lack of sleep, was like torture. Also, I couldn't pass urine properly, which left me with a painful bladder. I have now completely stopped. Never again. However, it did work in beginning to clear up my chest infection, but personally, this was not worth it."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

For Sinusitis "I was given this for a sinus infection. Let me tell you, I don’t mind metallic tastes. But, after just a day and a half of taking it, I was suffering from the worst anxiety. Heart racing, insomnia, crazy anxious thoughts. I called a pharmacist and asked if this clarithromycin caused nervousness. She said that yes, it causes this 10 percent of the time. I knew it! I had to stop taking it immediately. You know what does work for a sinus infection. An urgent care doctor prescribed me clindamycin and a Z-Pak, taken together - I forget the dosage but kicked that sinus infection out - and rather quickly. Sometimes the urgent care doctors know more than the ENT doctors. Incredible. Always take antibiotics with food too if your pharmacist tells you to. I think clarithromycin is poison, like a lot on here."

• bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

For Bronchitis "I feel better to see that I’m not the only one going nuts about this antibiotic (not even allergic to anything on top of it????). Got a 5-day treatment at 500 mg every 12 hours. Already fatigued by bronchitis, but it’s not going away (the fatigue). The really bad taste in mouth, anxiety, confusion, scared of going out to work because I don’t feel good. Although I see improvement in the bronchitis. The meds are making me paranoid - good luck to all. Just had the last tablet this morning, and I still have a bit of secretions, so I wonder if it’s okay. Oh forgot to mention I crashed my doctor's office yesterday needing antidepressants and anxiety pills because my mind is not well. He gave me a prescription for it as I’m suffering from burnout all mixed with my bronchitis, and the tablets didn't help my mind....."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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!!"

• kei...
• March 3, 2017

For Strep Throat "Let's just say I never write reviews for anything, but I am on day 4 of this antibiotic for strep throat, and all I can say is that I actually felt better with the strep than I do on this medication. Worst stomachs, itchiness, and sleeplessness. It has also caused me severe anxiety and racing heart. I was told to try and give it another day or two by my doctor, but I am actually hoping I just get a rash just so I can stop this stuff!!!!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2021

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed a 7-day course of 500 mg (2 a day) of clarithromycin for a particularly bad dose of sinusitis and an ear infection. I wish I had read the reviews before I started taking it, as I will never take it again. The first couple of days, everything was OK, then the anxiety started, coupled with a racing heart and palpitations. It got so bad I had to go to the A&E to get checked out. I then had the worst acid reflux I have ever experienced, I've been in so much pain. It has now been 5 days since I stopped taking them. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have any palpitations, and after getting some omeprazole from the chemist, the acid reflux is starting to lift slightly. To be honest, my ear infection would have been preferable to what I've been through the past few days. Avoid at all costs!!"

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Strep Throat "Absolutely horrendous. Worst antibiotic I have ever tried. Was given 2x a day for 5 days for strep throat. Day 1, severe sickness, anxiety due to thinking I’m going to be sick every minute, found some anti-sickness and felt a bit better. Day 2 cramps kicked in, agony, and then unexpected diarrhea several times. Day 3, and it’s the afternoon I feel absolutely miserable and the cramps are back, expect to spend the day on the toilet. Bright side, strep has cleared up well, but what are all these side effects about, I feel worse than ever and have never had this with any antibiotic. I’m in 2 minds not to do the final 2 days. I will never accept this antibiotic again, literally feel like I’m poisoning myself. The old antibiotic never did anything like this. Glad I’m not alone."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2018

For Pneumonia "Changing to another antibiotic due to side effects. Haven't slept in 48 hrs, anxiety, heart racing, and nightmares. The upset stomach and bitter taste are okay, but the other side effects and night sweats are not. I can feel it working, but another 8 days is too much."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• Nic...
• August 14, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "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!"

• Ala...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2021

"It caused me many side effects. I took two doses of 500 mg, 2 every day. Shaking, confusion, headache, stomach cramps, peeling of the skin every time I take a bath since I started this medication. Itchy skin, spots, weight loss, palpitations, hallucination, anxiety. Though I finished the medication 5 weeks ago, I'm still having mild itching and the spots on my arms and some parts of my body have not disappeared yet. I thought it was something different causing me all this. Now I know that clarithromycin is the cause."

• DJs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Worst pill ever, only managed one day, cause the second dose I took touched my throat and it literally started to swell on that side. My foot started to feel like it was going to cramp, then started to feel itchy. Then I couldn’t sleep, woke up so nauseated and couldn’t even eat. Then saw I had a rash on my chest and my wife saw my neck and said I also had a rash. Then later on, my eyes literally went blurry on me that I had to rush out of the house. I don't like antibiotics, they do more harm than good. Also, I have no idea why I need these meds if I feel like my dietary change has controlled this bacteria. I needed a good nap and thank God the weakness left. It did cause me nasty anxiety, I think the bacteria anxiety was nothing compared to the pill one. Good advice: you can find doctors out there that would recommend natural medicine pills that actually have a higher rating and nothing of a side effect other than if you're allergic to peanuts. Also, you're taking one pill to attack bacteria."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2013

For Sinusitis "After taking this pill in one day, I have all of a sudden developed a very upset stomach, and my heart rate went from 60 to 106 bpm. And I'm having severe anxiety, but I feel very weak."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

For Bronchitis "It caused severe insomnia. Couldn't sleep for almost 3 days. It also caused anxiety and depersonalization. This was after only taking two doses."

• Sal...
• January 13, 2018

For Strep Throat "The worst side effects ever after the 3rd pill, 500 mg x2. Inner tremors nonstop with chills, shivering, anxiety, headache, and nosebleed."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2022

For Skin and Structure Infection "How long does this anxiety go on after finishing a course of 500 mg twice a day for 7 days, struggling to cope with it?"