Clarithromycin and Bad Taste: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2014

For Bronchitis "I recently started on Biaxin. My doctor prescribed it for my bronchitis and sinus infection. The antibiotic works great, after about a day of taking it, I felt a million times better. It's a really strong antibiotic, though, which has caused some awful side effects, including a bad taste in my mouth, nervousness, and upset stomach/nausea. If you have to take this, I suggest eating before taking it and carrying around mints for the taste in my mouth. Good luck!"

• Lon...
• February 16, 2015

For Bronchitis "This seems to be dealing with the bronchitis after 2 days, so I feel better with only a residual phlegmy cough. The side effects have been constipation at first, then very loose, mucus-laden stools. Much stomach gurgling and vicious wind. Bitter, metallic taste in my mouth, especially in the mornings. Dreadful nightmares since taking this medication."

• Lei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2017

For Bronchitis "I have always been vulnerable to bronchitis and pneumonia. This antibiotic is the only thing that works. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, yes, but I know that after 10 days I will be done and better. Before I was prescribed this, I would often have to take more than 10 days of antibiotics in order to get better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2014

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I'm not allergic to penicillin, but was given clarithromycin due to a very severe antibiotic-resistant bout of tonsillitis. I'd been suffering for weeks taking antibiotics that didn't work, but literally after the first tablet, I noticed a difference. Works very well. However, these are not particularly good tablets to take when you have swollen tonsils because they are huge tablets - I had to cut mine up and swallow them in four pieces. Also, I've noticed some side effects: I have diarrhea (not too badly, but it makes life a bit more difficult), wind, and the taste in my mouth is constantly bitter. But overall, a very good medicine!"

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2019

For Sinusitis "I have been fighting a sinus infection for almost a month now. I am on my third day of taking 1000 mg of this antibiotic daily, and around 3 hours after taking the pills, I get an awful taste in my mouth, along with an upset stomach, a heavy feeling in my stomach, and a headache. Awful :("

• Myf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Bad breath or bad taste was one of my primary symptoms prior to getting on this medication. By day 1, it disappeared, well, started disappearing. However, it was replaced with a new terrible taste that doesn’t go away. I am only aware of the taste at night. I wake up like, what is this? lol.... I may feel a little weaker, but I just took an energy drink and energy increased. Now to find a way to eliminate this strange taste that lives in my throat now. It’s better than having bad breath for sure, super glad I’m taking it."

• roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2015

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Terrible taste in my mouth from this medication! It also dries you out! One of my chief complaints before being prescribed this med was a bad taste in my mouth. It was found to be from H. pylori. I do feel better in the stomach due to this medication, but the horrible taste is way nasty!"

• gtm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2017

For Sinusitis "Only on day three of this medication and having occasional relief from my sinus infection pain. The only side effect I've had so far is this horrible taste in my mouth. I read on this site that someone used a saltwater swish in their mouth to cover it, and it really works. Just 10 seconds of swishing and the taste is gone. I've had to do this every couple of hours, but it's better than that terrible taste."

• bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2016

For Pneumonia "After being laid low for a week with agonizingly painful throat and ears, plus coughing up gunk and fever, took myself to a walk-in medical center (live in the UK) on a Saturday and was prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg as an ear infection, although I was told my chest was clear (very surprised). Got progressively worse, coughed all night and struggled for breath, plus pain in ears and throat was horrendous (I do have a high pain threshold too!) and ended up getting an emergency GP appointment Thursday morning and was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed clarithromycin 500 mg for 7 days. Feel better already! Yes, odd taste, but I can swallow without grimacing and aren't taking max painkillers per day as I was, plus can eat again and chest is so much better. No other symptoms. Good antibiotic :)"

• Mel...
• April 28, 2014

For Sinusitis "Been taking Biaxin for my 4th day. I got a really bad cold, which left me with a sinus infection. I'm allergic to many things, and I always have issues with my sinus. This has worked great for clearing it up and relieving the pressure, but like everyone else on here, I too am experiencing the awful taste it leaves in my mouth. It also has wreaked havoc on my stomach. My mother is being treated for the same cold, and she was up all night, the first day on them, vomited a lot. You have to suffer something in order to get the best results. This works, and I'll deal with whatever side effects it dishes out if it means I can breathe again!"

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2010

Clarithromycin for Bronchitis "I have been on Biaxin for 3 days now. I have very loose bowel movements, a horrible taste in my mouth, and I can't sleep. I have been eating Tootsie Roll Pops to combat the bad taste in my mouth. I am going to stop Biaxin immediately and call my doctor first thing in the morning. Up at 2:00 a.m. now, wide awake with diarrhea and a Tootsie Roll Pop!"

• Wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2016

For Bronchitis "Thank goodness I found this site. As a person who avoids taking antibiotics, I thought I was going mad. My doctor prescribed clarithromycin after a ten-day course of amoxicillin failed to shift bad bronchitis. The vile bad taste in my mouth is with me most of the day and wakes me up at night, it's so horrible! I have been alternating between insomnia with adrenaline rushes (just couldn't sleep, whatever I did to try and relax), but then the next day, although I felt exhausted, I just couldn't sit still and cleaned the whole house! My eyes are dry and gritty, but no tummy upsets. I usually have a probiotic drink each day, though. I dream vividly all the time, but had some awful scary nightmares with this antibiotic! Only three tablets left."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2010

Clarithromycin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Worked great for infection, but side effects were becoming disturbing after three days - bad taste always, couldn't sleep, too much energy - couldn't sit still, strange mental clarity and deliberate movements, frequent urination. After 3 days, I didn't feel sick anymore, but the side effects were too much."

• Mun...
• October 24, 2015

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed clarithromycin for my lung infection, and after taking this medication on my second day, I started feeling better. But on the fourth day, I couldn't believe how my breathing improved. The only side effect is the taste in my mouth in the morning, but that is tolerable. I am so happy that it worked and that I feel better."

• ste...
• March 25, 2015

For Sinusitis "The day after, I was completely not congested anymore. The headache was still present, though. It took three days for that to go away, but I was still able to go to work and school by the second day. The only downside was I experienced extreme dizziness within the first few days, and it left a terrible bitter taste in my mouth all day."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

For Sinusitis "I have been on clarithromycin for about 4 days now. It gives me a terrible taste in my mouth. I'm constantly thirsty, which leads to frequent bathroom breaks, and the second night I was up most of the night, sleeping very lightly and having anxiety. I haven't slept well at all in the 4 days that I have taken it, and I notice it's causing my heart to palpitate. I have a terrible sinus infection and do want to stop the medicine, but I feel like a zombie, and I'm looking quite pale."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I've had cellulitis three times as I've had it once, I know I'm prone to it. Yes, I get the bad taste, but the tablets work. As long as the infection clears, I will put up with any side effects rather than a red, painful leg. All antibiotics have side effects, but if you don't want to be suffering an illness, then you take them."

• mis...
• June 20, 2015

For Sinusitis "Been on clarithromycin for 5 days and have to do a 7-day cycle - only 4 tablets left. I would advise anyone not to Google the side effects you are getting from this job because some websites say pregnancy! I have the most vile taste in my mouth, which gets worse as I cough. I wake up with my tongue stuck down to the bottom of my mouth, and I feel extreme hunger pains/stomach pains. Saying that, I would say this drug works very well. I have vivid dreams and can't sleep at all at night."

• bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2016

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed this medicine 4 days ago for a really bad case of bronchitis. I felt so weak and generally just awful. I was so glad that the doctor gave me some antibiotics to clear up the infection; he also gave me 2 inhalers to help open up my airways. I was so lightheaded and pale. On day three, I had a glass of wine and thought I was going to die; I was very cold and lightheaded (don't drink alcohol). Apart from my stupidity, I'm feeling a little better, still coughing when I lay down, but better overall; but the side effects are just awful. There's the taste, but I also feel kind of out of it; I can feel the drug in my bloodstream. One minute I want to lay down, and the next I'm hyperactive. 4 more days (1000 mg daily :("

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2016

For Strep Throat "Good lord, awful, the worst experience I've ever had with a drug. Two things. One, my mouth tastes like I've just eaten a meal of tin cans and aluminum foil. A truly vile taste that cannot be fully appreciated until experienced. Two, and this is a minor point - I feel like I'm going INSANE. This from someone with no mental health issues. Beware nighttime, it is a chamber of horrors. Hallucinations, bizarre dreams, inability to think rationally, the gnawing feeling that your brain is being invaded by little green ewoks with sharp teeth. If it was just the bad taste, I'd probably power through to the end of the script, but I've done two grisly nights on this s***, and there's no way I'm making it through five more. Back to the doc."

• SAB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "My doctor prescribed me this with amoxicillin for H. Pylori. First few days, it made my stomach even more upset. WORST TASTE EVER! It's so gross and makes my mouth feel so dry and raw, my tongue is inflamed. Boy... did it work? Yes, my stomach started feeling better day 4. Was it worth it? I'd say yes. But be prepared to keep sipping on things and eat lots of hard candy to keep a nice taste in your mouth. I got a few more days to go, hopefully, this goes away for good!"

• Fea...
• October 2, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "From day one on clarithromycin, the taste in my mouth was vile. Other problems were horrific night terrors, which one night gave me hallucinations! I started trying to stay awake because I was so scared of falling asleep. Extreme anxiety and brain fog. I was constantly forgetting what I was saying and doing! Never again! Still got the chest infection!"

• cel...
• December 5, 2011

Clarithromycin for Dental Abscess "I started taking Biaxin two days ago for both a dental abscess and chronic bronchitis. So far, I haven't noticed a difference, but it may take a while. Horrible taste in my mouth and very sleepy. All in all, it's not a bad medication so far."

• NJH...
• November 15, 2015

For Sinusitis "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!"

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

For Sinusitis "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."