Clarithromycin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I am on day three of the H. pylori treatment. And honestly, I am living in a nightmare. I never thought there was any medication this brutal. And it's true what most people said: every day comes with its own surprise. My first dosage got me shivering, and my legs were shaking, I even struggled to get to the bathroom. I had diarrhea and very bad nausea. Day two, my stomach felt really weird, like there was something like a stone pressing the walls of my stomach, and very severe insomnia. Today is day 3, I had the same feeling in my stomach the whole day. I don't know whether I will be able to fall asleep tonight. This is a drug where nightmares are made."

• 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."

• 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."

• Pae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed Clarithromycin for a chest infection, and after only two days, I started to feel very unwell with stomach cramps, diarrhea, mild mental disturbance, and most frighteningly, raised blood pressure and a very fast heartbeat with palpitations. I phoned for advice and was told to attend the city hospital's emergency department (I live in the UK incidentally). By the time I got there and was seen, it was a while since my last dose, and my symptoms were easing a little. The doctor seemed a little skeptical that they were caused by the clarithromycin, but he was kind and prescribed me an alternative that worked well. I will never take this drug again, and to make sure I don't forget the name, I keep the box!"

• 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."

• Run...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2020

For Skin and Structure Infection "I always get side effects from antibiotics and am allergic to penicillin, but I have NEVER experienced anything as bad as this reaction from clarithromycin! Horrible metallic taste in mouth, horrendous stomach pain/cramps/diarrhea, headache, insomnia, confusion, UTI, and probably worst of all is the depression. I actually feel suicidal and have been hurting myself. I NEVER normally do this. I feel like I have been poisoned and have stopped after 6 tablets. I just hope the side effects don’t last, I’m trying to find something to get them out of my system, charcoal maybe?"

• 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."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2020

For Skin and Structure Infection "Stay away from this drug!! I started clarithromycin at a dose of 500 mg, the first dose was fine, no side effects, but after the second dose, that’s when it went downhill. Prolonged nausea, intense stomach cramps, and the worst diarrhea I’ve experienced in my life. Woke up on the third day and refused to take my dosage before I spoke to my doctor again. Worst drug out there."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2023

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "My GP always prescribes me clarithromycin whenever I get an infection because my records state that I’m penicillin allergic. I’m not, I’ve had it from a nurse practitioner recently and am totally fine with it. I’ve tried telling my GP, but they won’t listen, so unfortunately, I have to suffer the terrible side effects of this antibiotic. I get terrible abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and the most disgusting metallic taste in my mouth. Fortunately, I’m only prescribed it for 5 days as opposed to a 10-day prescription, however, I’m only on day 2 and don’t know how I’ll make it to the end of the course. The side effects are unpleasant, to say the least."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Pneumonia "I have 10 hours left until my 4th dose of Biaxin XL 500 mg x2 tabs once per day. I finally feel like I’m back in the land of the living! After nearly 2 weeks of feeling absolutely awful (running 102 temps, headaches, pneumonia, and so fatigued and weak that I was sleeping 20 hrs a day), this has been a Godsend! I was fortunate and have had very few side effects, just mild diarrhea for the first two days, but that seems to have cleared up. I’ve had no nausea or metallic taste, but it may be because I was taking it at noon every day to make sure there would be enough food in my tummy so they didn’t go into an empty stomach. Still have a cough, but it has gone from wet to dry. No longer coughing up any gross stuff, and my nasal discharge has changed color, working on getting close to clear. First 2 days I felt like I’d been walloped after taking it, but that feeling has passed. So far, so good, and I would recommend this medication if you have pneumonia."

• kun...
• August 17, 2018

For Bronchitis "I have bronchitis for 2 weeks, and last week my doctor prescribed me clarithromycin. After 2 days of taking it, I noticed a super bitter aftertaste in my mouth, woke up a few times at night because of it. I also had both constipation and diarrhea while taking this antibiotic, and occasionally vomiting. I can say that it helped with my bronchitis (though very slowly), I can breathe better now after taking it for 7 days, and still have 3 days to go. I can't wait until this torture ends."

• kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Sinusitis "On day three of the clarithromycin 500 mg XL for sinusitis, and I don’t see even the slightest difference. I have had major diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, confusion, and the worst headache I have ever had to the point where I can’t move or it hurts more. I also have that foul metal taste, and it certainly wakes you at night. I have taken so many antibiotics in my life, but these have definitely been the hardest to cope with, especially with how huge these pills are. **UPDATE** ended up getting sinusitis again 2 weeks later. Never again with these pills. I had all those listed side effects from the pill for no reason, as the infection is back. I will now be telling my doctors that I do not get along with Biaxin."

• Bia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "At the age of 1, I received an operation. In and out of hospitals, somewhere along the line I picked up the H. pylori virus. Ever since then, I’ve had it treated a couple of times, but it keeps on coming back. At some stage, I had a total of 10 bleeding ulcers in my tummy. I’m now 18 and have the virus again (also had it last year). These pills work temporarily for me, and honestly, the side effects are so brutal I don’t even know whether it’s worth taking. Last year’s treatment had me throwing up almost every day, gave me diarrhea, an awful bitter taste in my mouth, loss of appetite (but found that eating makes me feel a little less nauseous), tummy cramps, and made me feel super weak. I will continue to drink it and hope that this time is more permanent and actually worth the suffering."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2019

For Sinusitis "I'm currently on this medication, and I can hardly come to finish the course! I have constant diarrhea, a metallic taste 24/7, and I do not eat or drink anything all day. Nighttime is the worst, I constantly have to wake up and spit out the nasty taste in my mouth, and I can't seem to ever get any good sleep because my dreams are so vivid, plus the constant waking up to a bad taste. I will make sure to never take this medication again, it really is the worst I have EVER been on! (and I have been on a lot!)"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2016

For Sinusitis "Was given for chronic sinusitis for 10 days, with prednisone for 3 days at the beginning. Gave me extreme nausea and some diarrhea, dizzy and weak. By day 4, second dose, was having trouble standing up/walking or sitting up, weak legs, breathing felt funny, talking funny. Went to ER. There for 6 hours for fluids and anti-nausea medicine. Still have loose bowels a week later. Still have a sinus infection. Scary."

• Ath...
• February 5, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I was prescribed 14 tablets of clarithromycin for a painful tonsil infection/tonsillitis. I'm on day 5 of taking the pills, and my infection was cleared up on day 4. It was effective in destroying the bacterial agent, but there are side effects: bloating and gassiness, diarrhea, adrenaline rushes, and insomnia. I've been hyperactive late at night and barely slept the past 3 days."

• Fed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2016

For Bronchitis "First off, let me say I have allergies to most antibiotics. I was placed on this generic form of Biaxin. No side effects, except for a gassy tummy with or without food, no taste or dreams. Seems to be doing its job. I also received a small dose injection of a steroid. Now to get the nose to turn off. But as the saying goes, better out than in. In my experience, the diarrhea is not a bad thing, it's forcing all the germs out of you. Though I have not had that reaction with this, my go-to antibiotic has always been the Z pack, but I was always very dizzy on them. Try and hang in there, after 10 days, it will be well worth it. I mean, you're sick. No drug is a miracle drug. Get well soon, y'all. Keep plenty of non-caffeinated drinks at bay."

• Lin...
• August 31, 2020

For Bronchitis "Clarithromycin is the best antibiotic I've ever had for bronchitis. I was in a bad way. It started working after 2 doses. It will be my go-to drug now. Side effects: diarrhea, some nausea, but getting better far outweighs these side effects."

• VFR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "Have been taking for 2 and a half days now for treatment of severe ear infection. Seems to be helping the infection now, however, side effects are unlike any antibiotics I've had before. First tablet caused almost instantaneous diarrhea and nausea. Every time I take a tablet, my stomach gurgles, however (thankfully) no more toilet issues. The worst effect is the taste. I was paranoid I had terrible breath, asked a friend, and she said she couldn't smell anything, so after reading other comments, I've deduced it's just me dealing with it! But overall, I feel...weird. I'll be glad when I have completed the course!"

• Doc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2016

For Sinusitis "It has been 2 months since I was put on Biaxin (see my entry on March 3). I only got through 4 days of a 10-day course. I have had diarrhea for 2 months, have lost 20 lbs, have nausea off and on every day. I have had many work-ups and stool samples, all negative. My ears have been ringing (tinnitus) since I went on Biaxin, all day and night. It has really taken a huge toll on my life. I wish the doctor had told me to take probiotics. I have esophageal candida from good bacteria being wiped out. My gastroenterologist has to wait until my GI heals a bit before a colonoscopy and a long course of antifungals to tame the candida. And the sinus thing? Still present. Biaxin has really messed up my body and my life."

• joj...
• February 25, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "This drug is really as toxic as they come! Not sure I would like to take them again. I had diarrhea for the 1st 2 days and an awful taste in my mouth like shampoo with metal filings in it. I started to take acidophilus lactobacillus on day 2, and that sorted my stomach problem. The taste, however, was very difficult to mask. I found that chocolate, of all things, helped to keep it at bay for a good few hours. But feeling ill, I didn't really feel like eating chocolate. On the whole, it is now day 4, and I am starting to feel an improvement in my health. So something positive has come out of taking them. I had tried a course of regular Amoxicillin previously, which didn't touch my illness."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

For Bronchitis "Started clarithromycin 4 days ago, 500 mg twice daily. Am taking a probiotic with it and taking it with food as directed. Only side effect I had was diarrhea the first 2 days. Still coughing hard if I exert myself and pulled some abdominal muscles in the process, but that is to be expected. I am satisfied with this drug. I get upper respiratory infections nearly every couple of years for many years now (I am a 54-year-old female) and always get the same drug with the same results."

• mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2016

For Sinusitis "Only been taking this antibiotic for pleurisy and a sinus infection for 3 days. Day 1, bad bitter taste in mouth and terrible thirst. Day 2, diarrhea. Day 3, the worst headache I have ever had. This drug should come with a GIANT warning on the packet. DON'T take this drug, it has vile side effects. My doctor has told me to stop it immediately. So I have!"

• In ...
• September 22, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "OMG! Worst experience of my life! I'm 63 years old. I have been suffering with a knot in my upper right side just beneath my breast for over 2 years. I've had a gauntlet of tests, was scheduled to have an EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy), but I had a severe laryngeal spasm when the tube was inserted before I was properly sedated. So, the EGD was not able to be performed. I had to be 'bagged.' The gastroenterologist saw only the first sphincter into my stomach, and there were tiny red spots on it and said he believed I had H. pylori (no breath test, no biopsy, no fecal test). He started me on clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and Dexilant. By the second dose, I was in EXTREME abdominal pain, severe burning, explosive diarrhea, dizziness, and weakness. By the 4th day, I truly thought I was dying, so I stopped the medication. I am still weak and hurting 3 days later, hurts to eat, still diarrhea. Going to my GP and asking for an H. pylori test. Never take this med combo without a confirmation test for H. pylori, it's a killer regime."

• Jul...
• October 15, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "This has to be one of the worst weeks of my life. Had a mild infection that wasn't too bad, but this drug is horrific. Taste in mouth and reflux so bad you don't want to sleep. Makes us stay awake until the early hours, drinking sweet drinks to get rid of the taste and acid burning. I have every symptom going on the most common side effects. Vile taste on day one, day two severe acid reflux (I have a hiatus hernia anyway), day three headache, day four diarrhea. What's going to happen tomorrow? I can't sleep, and I'm exhausted. Taste is appalling. The sad thing is I tried to explain it to my husband, and he kindly said, 'just go to sleep, rest.' I can't sleep!! I can't bear this, and I have 2.5 days to go."