Clarithromycin and Bad Taste: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Eli...
• November 9, 2016

For Bronchitis "Prescribed clarithromycin for a bad chest infection. After taking the first tablet I felt nauseous and a really bitter taste in the mouth. This is day 5 out of 7, and the symptoms have not gone away. Also, had diarrhea on the second day and constant gurgling and wind in the stomach. I have felt pretty awful the whole time. Persevering with medication as I am desperate to get rid of the awful chesty cough and feeling unwell, but will never take it again. Since reading previous posts, some say to eat before a dose and also have some yogurt before and after. Wish there had been some better advice on the leaflet with this antibiotic. I have never felt this ill taking an antibiotic before, it feels like poison."

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

Clarithromycin for Sinusitis "I started coming down with a chest cold that I knew would turn into bronchitis. I called my doctor, and he prescribed Biaxin 500 mg twice daily, as I ended up having sinusitis as well. After the 3rd day of taking this med, I was feeling better and not coughing quite as much. I had no side effects and rated this a 9 because of the aftertaste it leaves in your mouth. I always ate something before taking it and had no stomach issues. Overall, this really helped me get through my sickness."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2010

Clarithromycin for Sinusitis "I was prescribed this for a sinus infection twice. First time was last year. It worked, and I felt better in about five days. However, I had nausea and a nasty taste in my mouth every time I took it. This year, it was prescribed for the same thing. I still have the sinus infection, and the side effects were worse. My doctor chose this drug because I am allergic to sulfa drugs."

• Jai...
• February 23, 2017

For Bronchitis "I was so sick with coughing, I didn't care what I took. I didn't eat for a week as I lost my appetite. I had diarrhea, sweating, bad taste in mouth, and now I'm feeling better. I have a rash all over my body, which I think is from antibiotics. The rash is itchy, but nothing compared to how I felt 10 days ago."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2016

For Sinusitis "Have only been on this medicine for two days, and I am debating over whether or not I should continue taking the rest. Thankfully, no hallucinations or nightmares. However, the aftertaste is horrible. You can't get rid of it. Everything you eat and drink tastes awful. Gum and mints help with the taste. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do when it is time to go to bed. Not sure if the tummy cramps are from the illness or from this medicine."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2011

For Sinusitis "I was experiencing extreme thirst and a bad taste in my mouth after two doses of this medicine. My boyfriend suggested I drink some Gatorade, and that helped tremendously with the thirst and the bad taste. I hope this tip works for some other people dealing with these side effects, as they were not fun. I drink water all day, every day, but I just couldn't quench."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2018

For Pneumonia "This drug has definitely helped to clear up my pneumonia, but not without some terrible side effects. Most of which I didn't realize were common until I saw this thread! Day 1 hit me hard. Felt suddenly extremely unwell and tired. Nausea and no appetite. Sense of taste altered. Also, extremely anxious, night sweats, shakes, heart racing, difficulty sleeping. Every time I would almost fall asleep, I would snap back awake, heart sped up. Horrible taste in mouth. Had I realized it was the meds, I would have switched earlier! Have pressed through and am now on Day 5 of 7. I have slowly adjusted, each day I have a little more energy. I was so close to dropping this medication, but being so close to the end now, going to try and push through."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2018

For Pneumonia "This drug has definitely helped to clear up my pneumonia, but not without some terrible side effects. Most of which I didn't realize were common until I saw this thread! Day 1 hit me hard. Felt suddenly extremely unwell and tired. Nausea and no appetite. Sense of taste altered. Also, extremely anxious, night sweats, shakes, heart racing, difficulty sleeping. Every time I would almost fall asleep, I would snap back awake, heart sped up. Horrible taste in mouth. Had I realized it was the meds, I would have switched earlier! Have pressed through and am now on Day 5 of 7. I have slowly adjusted, each day I have a little more energy. I was so close to dropping this medication, but being so close to the end now, going to try and push through."

• vic...
• October 20, 2015

For Bronchitis "Every dose of this medicine has caused worse side effects. Extreme nausea, diarrhea, awful taste in my mouth, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shakes - the list goes on. Day 4, I couldn't move 2 steps without wanting to vomit, yet I had to literally sprint to the bathroom for my bowels. I actually had to call into work because I felt so ill. Ended up calling my doctor to get switched to a different antibiotic. Never, never, never again."

• Ama...
• April 6, 2016

Clarithromycin for Bronchitis "I was prescribed Biaxin for bronchitis. I've taken three pills. I have a horrible taste in my mouth all the time along with severe dry mouth. My stomach is tossing and turning, making the loudest noises I've ever heard a stomach make! I haven't had problems with nausea/vomiting, but the diarrhea from this is horrendous! On the second day of taking this, I got this huge burst of energy and wanted to clean every inch of my house and rearrange each room! (sort of strange as I'm still coughing constantly and having a very hard time breathing) I'm also having trouble sleeping. I'm not sure that I will be taking any more of these."

• tin...
• May 20, 2015

For Bronchitis "This is the most vile-tasting medication I have ever taken. Seems to be working, but it is disgusting. I have a horrible taste in my mouth all day long, and I've tried brushing/scraping my tongue, eating yogurt, eating strong mints, all to no avail. Man, is it just horrible-tasting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2016

Clarithromycin for Strep Throat "Obviously, no antibiotic is going to be easy, but this is tolerable. I am allergic to penicillin, so I always get prescribed Biaxin. It always clears up my infections, the only downside is the horrible bitter taste. My best advice, besides chewing gum/mints in between, is to eat dark chocolate before and after- it actually does help subside the bitter taste! Also, take the probiotic pearls with each dosage, it should help your stomach and prevent diarrhea. Eat as much yogurt as possible or drink kefir milk- kefir milk is the best probiotic you can take. It works wonders! You may get some minor headaches/stomach discomfort the first couple of days, but let your body adjust and you should be fine. It's definitely tolerable compared to other meds."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

For Pneumonia "Currently taking clarithromycin for pneumonia. One 500 mg tablet twice a day for 7 days. Constantly feeling sickly tired and have a constant, mental-like horrible taste in my mouth. Reassured me this must be off the antibiotics after reading the posts on here. Cough seems a lot better but not finished the course yet."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I've taken this drug for a few years for chest infections. I'm asthmatic. When I take it for the first 2 days, no side effects. On the 3rd day, omg! Awful taste in my mouth, then very weak and worrying labored breathing! I woke up in the night, thought my heart was stopping! I'm advising my GP I'm never taking it again! I've read also that this drug can cause heart palps, as the info suggests! No thanks, awful toxic drug. Be careful!"

• Sop...
• December 25, 2016

For Strep Throat "I'm on my second round of antibiotics for recurring strep, which morphed into ear and gland issues. The doctor also put me on a muscle relaxant to help reduce the throat swelling. The first night, I dreamed I was water skiing in a mall in Detroit! Bizarre nightmares and a very listless sleep, which I see now that I may have incorrectly attributed to the muscle relaxant. Now I think it's the clarithromycin. I don't know about metal, but it is a horrible taste. I am tired, have sore muscles, ringing ears, and no appetite, and I love food! I've only been on clarithromycin for three days. My Rx is 500 mg twice a day for 10 days. I can't wait to get off this stuff. I've never had such a bad experience with an antibiotic."

• ISP...
• December 29, 2016

For Pneumonia "I have been given clarithromycin and a steroid. The taste left in your mouth is terrible. And the weird feeling around the jaw and generally light-headed. But boy, has it cleared my chest in just 2 days. I can breathe, and coughing is not painful. But the taste is hard work and makes you wanna heave. But it's to repair your infection, so it definitely does as it says on the tin."

• Kca...
• May 3, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was seriously down with nausea (urge to vomit frequently), diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, stomach upset, and acid reflux (sometimes I feel tightness around my neck and as if food is stuck in my throat with burning stomach). After some tests, they said I had malaria and a stomach infection of H. pylori. I was placed on antimalarial, metronidazole, tetracycline, amoxyl, omeprazole, and antacid. I got better on the first day, but became worse later. I was hospitalized for two days due to severe weakness, I lost much weight, and the symptoms were still there. I finally had an endoscopy, and it was confirmed that I have gastritis and duodenitis. I was placed on Pylorest (Clarithromycin 500 mg two times daily, Amoxyl 1 gram two times daily, Rabeprazole 20 mg two times daily). I am on the seventh day now, but got worse on the second day, with an awful taste in my mouth and throat, mild nausea, and muscle pains. The drug side effects can't be compared with what I passed through earlier. I am fine with my triple treatment now. Three more days to complete my treatment, and the symptoms are fading away."

• Dun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2013

For Middle Ear Infections "Started taking for a sinus infection. By day three, the searing ear pain was gone totally, my facial swelling was gone, and my acne really improved! There is a really funny taste in my mouth, but I notice it got better when I drink a lot of water. Great experience overall."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I am on day 1 of this medication for H. pylori infection along with amoxicillin. So far, the only awful side effect is the bad taste that lingers in my mouth. I have had random nausea, but I was having nausea before I started this medication because of the H. pylori infection, so that is nothing new. I have been drinking blueberry juice to help with the bitter taste, and it seems to be working. Hopefully, the side effects of this medication will wear off with time, but I will have to wait and see. It is nice to know other people are having the same experience as me, though!"

• ldy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2016

For Bronchitis "Well, I'm on this medication because I have a little pneumonia in my upper left lobe. I have a funny taste in my mouth, also, and the dreams I have are awful. The first day I took this, I had diarrhea twice. At night, for the first few days, I could sleep, and now it keeps me awake at night, although I'm tired. I'm still coughing, and I don't know if I should take cough medicine or not. I have not had any other side effects so far."

• Joa...
• January 20, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Been given clarithromycin 500 mg for a chest infection. Been on meds 2 days. The aftertaste at the back of your mouth is extremely vile. I can taste it a few hours after taking it. It's that vile, the taste wakes me up. I try to swish it away with water, but it's still there. The last tablet I took was 10 hours ago, the taste in my mouth is still dreadful. Not sure whether this medication is helping, as I am still coughing like a trooper. I was less anxious when I read on this thread that it wasn't me going crazy, and others suffered from heart palpitations, shortness of breath, tight chest, and anxiety (I can't break thoughts). It's a dreadful feeling, have to finish the course but will never be taking this med again - 5 more days to go :-/"

• 27...
• January 25, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed these for an ongoing sinus problem, I'm not convinced it is an infection, as my mucus is clear and not bright yellow as it has been in the past when I've had infected sinuses. I've experienced horrible side effects, a horrible taste in my mouth, nausea, fatigue, muscle ache, and just generally feeling ill. I would stop taking it, but if it is an infection, it will probably make it worse, so I'm just going to buck up and finish the course. I would not recommend these antibiotics to anyone."

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2016

For Bronchitis "So far, so good, helping with my chest infection, but I can't stand the constant bitter taste in my mouth. I have also been having problems sleeping and have had diarrhea. It's only day 2, so I am now not sure if I should continue taking this medication."

• Dee...
• November 1, 2019

For Bronchitis "Been on these clarithromycin pills before, and I told my doctor I don’t want to take them again, but this time I went to the doctor and didn’t know what she gave me till my boyfriend picked it up from the pharmacy. Needless to say, I was disappointed, but I started to take them anyway because I have a real bad cough. After 2 days, my cough improved, but the soreness in my back and chest is still there. I take them before I eat supper and breakfast. I am getting the hungry feelings, dizzy, weird thoughts, bad taste, and headache, and that’s all at the moment. Hopefully, this won’t last long."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2019

Clarithromycin for Sinusitis "I battled a sinus infection for almost 3 months. I had pain above my eye and maxillary sinuses. I had green/yellow thick discharge coming out of my nose from the front and back. At the beginning of the infection, at about 2 weeks in, I took Augmentin with no luck. I suffered for almost 2 more months until going on the Biaxin. After 1 week of the medication, all of my symptoms were gone. I was worried I would need surgery if this didn't work. As for side effects, the only one I noticed was the taste in my mouth, but it was subtle and not that bad. My stomach was fine as I took a probiotic yogurt every day. This drug was amazing."