Clarithromycin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Imi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Clarithromycin leaves a horrible taste in your mouth! And other side effects. On day 5, and yes these tablets have helped the infection but left me with headaches, insomnia, and worse this awful taste I can't even describe. I'm not talking about when you take the tablet itself, this comes on a couple hours after, and it is so sickening!"

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2017

For Bronchitis "Well, I have to say there were times when these were on the verge of being dumped into the bin, they made me feel really rough. Headaches, woozy, and the most horrendous taste in my mouth. But, by day 4 (of a 7-day course), I have to say I noticed an improvement in my chest. So needless to say, I continued with the purgatory!!! I get real bad chest infections and I have to weigh up the pros against the cons, and to be truthful, yes, they do work, but it's a rotten struggle to feel better. Would I take again...???? The jury is out!!!!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2018

For Pneumonia "This medication was prescribed to treat my pneumonia. I felt the side effects from day one. Weird metallic and bitter taste in my mouth, dry mouth and lips even after drinking fluids, anxiety, fear, palpitations, weakness, very strong headaches, hallucinations, nightmares, sweating, fast heart rates. On the other hand, I can breathe again and the terrible back and chest pain are gone. If there is a future need for me to have antibiotics, I would really avoid this one. Side effects are way too much to take when you already feel poor and weary."

• Sur...
• July 3, 2016

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "The first day was terrible. I had headaches, nausea, general ill feeling, neck and shoulder pain, eye pain. This happens every other day. Also, a bitter taste. Thankfully, I am on the ninth day, and I pray it clears the pylori, because I can't do it again. Scary experience. Oh yes, heat flushes as well."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2011

Clarithromycin for Strep Throat "Allergic reaction after taking 2 x 500 mg tablets. Symptoms: fast heart rate, headache, metallic taste, shaky on the inside, involuntary spasms, dizziness. I believe that the medicine would have worked if I did not experience the severe side effects."

• 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..."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2016

For Sinusitis "This is not the first time I have been on this medicine for recurrent sinus infections, I don't like it, but it always seems to work. I am taking 2 500 mg once per day. The disgusting taste in my mouth generally starts around day 2, and headaches around day 3. I can't sleep when I am taking it, but so far no other issues. I will be glad to stop taking it, 4 more days to go."

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For Sinusitis "I had a cold and cough which would not go away and a sinus infection for 2 weeks. I was prescribed clarithromycin, and after 50 mins of taking it, I got the biggest headache/migraine of my life. Ended up in the emergency room on a drip and on anti-migraine medication. This drug was not good for me and had terrible side effects, will never use this again!"

• BAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "The first day on clarithromycin for a URTI, I was fine. Then, after that, I started with nausea, a jittery feeling, and a headache. On the 3rd day, I was going lightheaded as well. Now, on day 7 of 7, with 1 tablet to go, I have all but given up, as I feel awful. My chest infection has slightly cleared, I think, but the side effects are not worth it, and I won't use these again. I hope the side effects don't last too long after finishing the course."

• 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."

• Aus...
• October 9, 2017

For Bronchitis "My doctor put me on these antibiotics for a cough that I couldn't get rid of. The meds worked great for the cough, but the side effects were horrid: sweats, headaches, hunger pains, tummy bloating, pain, nausea, rash, and the list goes on. Only take these pills if you are really sick or in pain because the side effects are bad. I look 8 months pregnant from bloating and am constantly irritated from feeling like I haven't slept for a month. So it comes down to can you put up with the side effects or not. I'm going to soldier on and keep taking them. Only 4 days to go, 3 done... stay strong and get well soon."

• Moo...
• December 29, 2019

For Pneumonia "This worked a treat for the pneumonia after doxycycline and amoxicillin had not helped at all. BUT 2 hours after the first dose, I got a very odd feeling of looking down on my body and watching myself interact with others. I lay in a darkened room for a while, it eased off. I felt that I had no choice but to continue with the medicine given my fear of the infection getting even worse. Happily, although I felt a tiny bit odd after the second dose, the strange depersonalization feeling did not recur. Later, I got a strange metallic taste, lack of appetite, and headache, but no more awful out of body/mind feelings."

• 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."

• Sue...
• July 15, 2018

For Sinusitis "After taking this medication for two days, I got a massive headache, which I originally thought was from the sinus infection. I kept taking it for three more days with a continual massive headache. Finally, I looked up side effects of this, and this has to be the cause. The headaches make me nauseous, and Tylenol and Advil don’t even touch it. I threw the rest out and can’t wait until this is out of my system. I have never had such horrible headaches and contemplated having my husband take me to the emergency room for pain relief. I will never, ever take this again. It caused me four wasted days on the couch with a pounding headache. Horrible."

• Chl...
• April 2, 2020

For Strep Throat "Where do I start? I had strep throat before, and this time was worse. I was given these clarithromycin antibiotics as a stronger alternative to penicillin, which had also made me vomit. I was in a bad way. A day or so after taking these, my mental health declined (I have an anxiety disorder, OCD, and depression). Nothing could have prepared me for the terror that my mind went through on these. Shaking, voices and sounds in my ears, intrusive and terrifying thoughts, anxiety, and heart beating like I was going to have an attack, crying uncontrollably. I had to come stay with my parents for 5 days to get well, as I was unable to care for my 18-month-old daughter as the side effects were so bad and also included headaches, nausea, and the shakes. I thought I had truly lost my mind. It has been a rollercoaster and not a good ride at all. I would ask anyone (especially if they have MH problems) to avoid these. I am glad I read other reviews, and I am now reassured that it's not just me who encountered these ill effects."

• Man...
• March 30, 2017

For Sinusitis "Had the most bizarre dreams with this tablet. Woke up feeling drugged out and nauseous. Bad headache, bubbly tummy due to wind, foggy head. I only took 3 tablets and will never touch this tablet again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2012

"I am only on day one, but I have terrible side effects. I was told to take 1 x 500 mg twice a day. I don't know if I will be able to go the full 7 days. I feel incredibly hot, rapid heartbeat, nausea, body aches, unpleasant taste in mouth, headache."

• 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."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2019

For Bronchitis "On my second course of this (back to back). It has given me severe reflux, and the repulsive, bitter taste in my mouth is there 24/7. Nothing clears the bitterness. Nothing. Two more days to go. Seems to be slowly clearing the bronchitis but has otherwise wiped the floor with me. I thought I'd die from yesterday's headache. But the reflux is the worst symptom, hands down. I hope the reflux and bitterness disappear once I finish it. Ugh!"

• Kac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "Clarithromycin is extremely effective, but unfortunately, it tastes horrid and leaves a disgusting taste in your mouth. To get rid of the taste, I recommend eating a banana and gargling some water. Though it is effective, there are many side effects, e.g., diarrhea, nausea, sickness, and others. I am still taking clarithromycin. I suffered from multiple symptoms, motion sickness, diarrhea, and nausea are the ones I suffer from, but it could be different for someone else. If you do take clarithromycin for otitis, the symptoms are added to the side effects. I still had a full feeling in my ear, problems with balance, earache, and a headache, so be wary of that. I recommend resting and not moving your head fast/too much."

• Spu...
• May 2, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Promised myself I'd write a review of this medication if I survived the week on it! Was terrified to take it, having read the negative reviews and expected horrendous side effects. The brand name was Clonocid. It was the second antibiotic prescribed for an ear infection. It didn't solve the issue. The side effects for me weren't as bad as others reported. They do put an unpleasant taste in your mouth. I always took a glass of milk or yogurt after taking mine, which helped. They are big tablets, and I couldn't wait to be off them, but side effects were manageable. Did have a little insomnia and occasional headaches, so I wouldn't be keen to take them again. Having said that, if they've been prescribed, I wouldn't let the reviews here frighten you too much. A pharmacist advised me that the bad side effects are rare and sometimes be a result of interaction with existing medications. Discussing my fears with them helped put my mind at ease, so if you're still concerned, maybe chat to yours."

• Fle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Allergic to penicillin, so was given clarithromycin 500 mg for tonsillitis. I was given a 5-day course. After the first couple of tabs, throat eased, and I never slept as much. Horrible taste in my mouth, which nothing would get rid of. I was very windy, diarrhea, feeling hungry even after eating a meal, feeling hot a lot, and headache at the back of my head. However, the last day of taking these, I couldn't get to sleep. The pain I was in with the tonsillitis was unbearable, so the side effects are a small price to pay. Hopefully, the bad taste won't take long to go away."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed 500 mg twice a day for a nasty case of bronchitis. It took 2-3 days to kick in, but I am getting better now. That’s the upside. The downside is I have painful headaches, my eyes are sensitive to light, and my eyelids are drooping. These are not symptoms I normally experience with antibiotics, and it’s rare for me to get a headache. I’m drinking lots of water, so not dehydrated. And I also have the nasty taste in my mouth. Conclusion: There are better antibiotics with less side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Got prescribed clarithromycin for a cut on my hand so that it doesn’t get infected. Worst antibiotic I’ve ever taken. The dose is 500 mg twice a day, and every time I take it, I feel sick and get the worst headache. My stomach feels so heavy, like there are rocks weighing me down. The first day I took it, my heart started beating really fast, and I got so paranoid I couldn’t even sleep. I have general anxiety, and this just made it x10 worse. These antibiotics are also huge, so I would not recommend them to people who can't swallow tablets. Not to mention this disgusting metallic taste in my mouth all day!! Would not recommend! Would rather my hand get infected than feeling like this."