Clarithromycin and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Daw...
• March 12, 2016

For Pneumonia "I am an asthmatic and have just had the flu, which has led to mild pleurisy and chest pain/shortness of breath. I'm taking a course of clarithromycin for 7 days (500mg x2 daily) with 30mg prednisolone for the first 5 days. Feeling sick, vile taste in mouth, headache, dizzy, fatigue, lack of sleep, randomly crying for no reason (may be the steroids). I feel quite beat up by the drugs and was feeling wiped out already. However, I can now breathe and cough without feeling like I'm being stabbed, so I'm going to try to last the full course as I don't have the option of another drug as I'm allergic to penicillin. I feel spaced out, and going to a supermarket and looking at all the food nearly made me throw up as I feel so sick. Trying a probiotic drink..."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kat...
• January 5, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "This drug is very effective, the chest infection appears to have cleared after 2 500mg tablets. However, the side effects are so debilitating, I'd rather be ill! Aside from the bitter taste, I'm suffering extreme vertigo and cannot keep any food down at all. I'm going to half the dosage and phone the doctor tomorrow to change to another antibiotic."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2020

For Strep Throat "Honestly, I read these reviews and thought, what a load of garbage!! I’m on day 5, and I feel dreadful! 1-3 days I was fine, but completely lost my appetite, lost weight (3 kg). Day 4, horrible metallic taste in my mouth and feeling sick, stomach really hurting! Day 5, I feel shattered!! I’m having breathing difficulties, dizziness, and back/stomach pain. Felt like ringing 111 numerous times today, but decided I’m done with this medication!! I can’t cope anymore. It’s awful!"

• mMp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2016

For Sinusitis "Two hours after the first dose, I had a pounding headache, severe nausea, dizziness/vertigo, and a horrible metallic taste in my mouth. Four hours later, the taste has subsided. But the headache is still a problem. If I move too quickly, the nausea returns. On the plus side, the pain from the sinus infection is now tolerable (before it was excruciating). My sense of smell and taste has started to return. And I can breathe again, though this could be due to two other medications I was also prescribed (Otrivin and Acetylcystein Hexal). The last time I took antibiotics, I came down with an awful case of esophageal thrush, more painful than even a sinus infection, which took one and a half months to resolve. So I am waiting to see what will happen."

• Val...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2015

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was on clarithromycin and amoxicillin (proton pump inhibitor omeprazole) for a week (H. pylori). The first four days felt like hell, then my body slightly adjusted to the poison, and it was easier. Also, I found that I can relieve the horrible, bitter, sewage-like taste in my mouth with chewing gum. Once, I took two amoxicillin 1000 mg tablets instead of amoxicillin. Clarithromycin added comes the horrible taste in mouth, dizziness, and general ill feeling. I was dying a few hours after taking my final dose of those antibiotics, had to call an ambulance, felt like my heart was stopping. They pumped me with something, and I survived. One star above 1 because I can still write this review 2 days after the last dose."

• H p...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2016

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Started taking amoxicillin, omeprazole, and clarithromycin to treat H. Pylori. Worst side effects I have ever experienced. By day 4, I had severe diarrhea (looked like coffee grounds), nausea, dizziness, couldn't sleep, would have waves of burning through my chest and into my head. I went to the ER because my breathing was labored and I had such severe diarrhea. I also developed something like oral thrush, so my tongue felt so raw. My doctor finally told me to stop taking it. The side effects were extremely miserable and torturous."

• naa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2022

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "This antibiotic is not for the faint of heart, but then again neither is 3+ months of H. Pylori. I took clarithromycin along with amoxicillin and did experience stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea, however, my side effects got better throughout the course of treatment. If you're struggling with similar side effects, here are a few things that helped. Take this medicine on a full stomach. I found it to be especially well tolerated with a bowl of oatmeal. Drink lots and lots of water, like 120+ ounces per day. Eat very bland, easy-to-digest meals. Fatty or sugary foods will trigger the nausea and stomach pain. Take lots of probiotics. I took a double dose in the morning and again at night. Eat smaller meals and snack more frequently. Hopefully, this will help you make it through the treatment. I just finished mine, and if it gets rid of the symptoms I was having prior to treatment, it will have been well worth it!"

• Jen...
• March 15, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Had this for a skin/wound infection. Took 3 into the course and felt so awful had to ask for different ones. Dizzy, out of it/woolly headed, nauseous, bad taste in mouth, everything tastes awful, farty, and generally a horrible experience. It makes sense about feeling terrible due to it killing bacteria in the body, but I never want to take it again."

• 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."

• 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."

• MN2...
• March 1, 2016

For Pertussis "Taking 500 mg twice a day for pertussis (whooping cough). While I do feel some relief from the pertussis, there are some nasty side effects to it. Firstly, horrible GI symptoms. The medication causes a horrible taste for several hours after taking it, and it was causing abdominal pain and a feeling of too much acid in my stomach and an uncomfortable pressure only relieved by vomiting. The GI symptoms were unbearable, but I found eating cheese immediately before swallowing the pill helped immensely. I also started a probiotic and Prilosec for the stomach acid. Another issue was extreme muscle weakness (knees buckling) and loss of balance and coordination. I'm 21 with an athletic build and never had this issue before."

• MN2...
• March 1, 2016

For Pertussis "Taking 500 mg twice a day for pertussis (whooping cough). While I do feel some relief from the pertussis, there are some nasty side effects to it. Firstly, horrible GI symptoms. The medication causes a horrible taste for several hours after taking it, and it was causing abdominal pain and a feeling of too much acid in my stomach and an uncomfortable pressure only relieved by vomiting. The GI symptoms were unbearable, but I found eating cheese immediately before swallowing the pill helped immensely. I also started a probiotic and Prilosec for the stomach acid. Another issue was extreme muscle weakness (knees buckling) and loss of balance and coordination. I'm 21 with an athletic build and never had this issue before."

• Njg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2017

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Took generic Biaxin (500 mg 2x a day) / clarithromycin, and it quickly made my illness go away, but at the expense of crummy side effects. Never had medicine make me have such bad digestive effects (diarrhea), plus severe headaches and spells of dizziness. After three days, called the doctor, and he immediately changed my medicine. I do not recommend this medicine at all."

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I'm allergic to penicillin, so I was given clarithromycin as an alternative. I had severe suspected tonsillitis (despite having my tonsils removed 16 years ago) and had taken loads of medication like paracetamol and an antibiotic lozenge, which did nothing; I felt better immediately after taking clarithromycin tablets but have been experiencing a number of strange and uncomfortable side effects. Firstly, the horrible metallic taste in the mouth, as everyone seems to get, also terrible flatulence, as well as (more concerningly) vaginal discharge, which turned into vaginal bleeding a couple of days later (definitely not menstruation related). I also had dizziness, nausea, frequent hunger, and ringing ears. Annoying side effects, but felt so much better!!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2020

For Pneumonia "I've been on clarithromycin a few times because I keep getting pneumonia every year. I was prescribed it again on Monday due to another vicious attack by pneumonia that had me off work and laid up for 10 days. The first night, I woke up with a super dry mouth and that disgusting metallic taste. It gradually got worse, to the point that it was like I was burping and coughing up the medication, it felt like it was sitting in my throat even though I had taken it with lots of water hours ago. I also experienced a debilitating headache Wednesday evening, probably the worst headache I've had. A couple of days ago, I noticed a pain in my cheek, back by my wisdom teeth. I poked around in my mouth and didn't find any lumps or bumps, but my cheek is sore and it hurts to chew or yawn. I also seem to be experiencing some spells of dizziness. I really don't like clarithromycin, its side effects are less than ideal, but it gets rid of the pneumonia, so I'll suffer through!"

• Mar...
• December 17, 2015

Clarithromycin for Strep Throat "After taking one 500 mg clarithromycin, in about three hours I became dizzy, uncomfortable in the head, and short of breath. I am afraid to take another, although it was prescribed one every 12 hours. I have spent most of the day with my head reclined and eyes closed. I had the same reaction to 500 mg of Azithromycin, but I could take 250 mg with no problem. Shall I ask the doctor to prescribe a smaller dose? I am very fearful of another like this."

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2017

For Sinusitis "I am a cigarette smoker. My dosage is one tablet twice a day for 10 days. I have 2 tablets left. My symptoms included severe post-nasal drip, and my face felt like I had been in a boxing match and lost. The doctor said my ears were filled with fluid and my coughing was nonstop. Tons of mucus coughed up and nose blowing. Since I am on day 9, I have to admit the side effects of this medication are awful. Constant headache and like the others, there is a disgusting taste in my mouth nonstop, as well as my mouth is so dry that at times my tongue actually stuck to the roof of my mouth, and my tongue hurts like it's raw. I made sure to eat before taking this and drank at least 8 ounces of water. Dizzy, nausea 'ugh.' I can't wait to be done. Also, vivid nightmare."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2017

For Strep Throat "I am allergic to penicillin and a few other antibiotics, so this was the best choice to clear my strep. Outside of the terrible metallic taste that I experienced within 6 hours of taking the clarithromycin, the medication works very well. After 24 hours of being on this medication, my throat feels so much better, my dizziness has subsided, and I no longer feel extremely weak and fatigued. My stomach is a little upset, but it is not unbearable. I would rather take a minor upset stomach and metallic taste in my mouth over the extreme throat pain and fatigue the strep caused. As far as insomnia, I'm more of a night owl, so I couldn't say if the medication has contributed to my restlessness. I think this medication is a great therapy for strep."

• Col...
• August 17, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "In one word, clarithromycin is horrendous. I've never been so ill on an antibiotic in my life. Severe cramps in my stomach, hallucinations that were no joke. By the 5th day, I could not stand up from dizziness and weak muscles. My heart rate was ridiculously high, also, I've never been so sure I might die, so never again for me. Good luck to those who sail through with it, you're the few, not the majority. Just consider yourself lucky it wasn't you that had the bad side effects from this stuff like me and many others for whom it is pure poison."

• str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

Clarithromycin for Strep Throat "I took 500 mg (5 doses) of amoxicilin, and it did nothing, literally, and I was shivering with cold fever, felt like I would never heal. But then, after taking the first dose of Biaxin, I felt it working as my pain reduced and feeling less dizzy. I would suggest Biaxin over amoxil."

• Eri...
• February 18, 2016

For Strep Throat "Vile. Got the worst headache, terrible taste in mouth, dizziness, and generally feel terrible. Taking it because I have the strep bacteria in my lungs, which is uncommon. This is now my second dose, as it didn't go the first time, but I'm not convinced it's working."

• B M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "2-week triple treatment for H. pylori, which caused severe gastritis, an ulcer (clamped during endoscopy), duodenitis, and grade 3 esophageal erosion. Even plain water was going down like a thousand razor blades. I'm on day 11. Unlike most people, I've had nearly zero side effects, just some dizziness and the odd headache."

• Gre...
• May 5, 2017

For Sinusitis "Took clarithromycin for four weeks, 500 mg 2x a day, which seemed too strong to me. Same metallic taste a lot of people get, it is medicine, so I expect that. It gave me dizziness, tiredness, and nightmares galore, I have lost sleep from all the nightmares. I actually felt really out of it. I took probiotics and ate yogurt, and after I stopped taking it three weeks later, I began having severe stomach pain. I have read it can cause some serious issues with the liver, so now I'm off to the GI doctor. I wish there was something in medicine that could cure us without any side effects, like Royal Rife's invention."