Clarithromycin and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Der...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I’m on day 14/14 of this clarithromycin medication for H. pylori. The first few days were good. My only complaint was that the pill was bitter. I used a trick to make sure the drug didn’t touch my tongue: fill mouth with a bit of water, set the pill in your water-filled mouth, swallow immediately. Even with this, I noticed the bitter taste in my throat after a few days, but it was better. Week 2 I wasn't feeling as good. I had shortness of breath, racing heart, belching, dizziness, brain fog, nausea in the morning, trouble sleeping, muscle pain in my chest and back, and felt weak. I checked in with my doctor and everything was in working order. It was just the meds. My advice: DON'T take on an empty stomach. I tried once and threw it up. Float the pill in your mouth and swallow. Stay off Google. Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about your symptoms. Anxiety only makes things worse. Take it easy. Your health is important, so get the rest you need. Happy healing everyone. You’ve got this!"

• Twi...
• July 22, 2019

For Sinusitis "I am currently prescribed 500mg clarithromycin twice a day for 10 days. I had a sinus infection. I'm on day 4 and still feel a bit of sinus pressure. I cannot tell you how much this metal taste in my mouth has taken my sleep away. I am woken up by this terrible taste, never experienced anything like this. I feel I can only go max another 2 days with this as I just cannot take this taste anymore... it's taken over my life."

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

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on day 7 of my treatment plan which consists of: 1-omeprazole, 1-clarithromycin, and 2-amoxicillin 2x/day, and bismuth subsalicylate 4x/day. I deal with anxiety terribly and was fearful of this treatment plan after dealing with 4 months of a diagnosis with symptoms of GERD. A sense of relief came when I had to be tested and found that H. pylori was causing all of this. Don't get me wrong, I hate that it has come to this but I'm relieved that it is something that can be treated without having to undergo long-term treatment as I would have with GERD. I weighed my options and decided to overcome anxiety and take the meds to get rid of this thing. I have experienced the metallic taste, loss of sleep, back pains, dark stools, and brain fog. Push through!!! You can do this!!! The thing I've learned is to make sure that you have a well-balanced meal when taking your meds to avoid feeling jittery, eat small meals more times within the day, stay away from foods that will cause acid reflux, and drink lots of water."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Very strong medicine. Before I was diagnosed with H. pylori, my symptoms were bloating, belching, and acid reflux at night. I took this because of slight H. pylori with slight erosion on my stomach found while having an endoscopy. 500 mg clarithromycin (Klaz) tablet, 500 mg amoxicillin (Himox) capsule, and 20 mg omeprazole (Omepron) capsule. Taken before meals, 1-0-1 omeprazole, 2-0-2 clarithromycin, and 1-0-1 amoxicillin for 14 days. From the 1st day, with the 1st dose, effects not that much, just a metallic taste, stomach cramps, feeling slightly bloated when I took it. From that night, the metallic taste turned bitter. On the second day of medication, I got anxiety in the early morning, bitter taste, still bloated and belching. On the 3rd day, my stomach kept growling, bitter taste, and I developed insomnia and minor brain fog, still bloated. I'm on my 4th day now, insomnia is hitting hard, bitter taste, slight bloating, and keeps belching. All I can say is every day you will experience different symptoms. I will update soon about my condition."

• Bex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2013

For Sinusitis "Wrote on here yesterday. Just updating. Doc advised me to stop taking clarithromycin after I took only one 500mg last night. My experience- awful taste in mouth, vomiting, lower back pain, aching all over, severe stomach pain, couldn't sleep, dizziness, severe anxiety, dull heavy headache (similar to a hangover) and very dry mouth. All this after only ONE tablet. This medication is EVIL! Take with extreme caution people. Good luck x"

• Bom...
• July 29, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "About 2 months ago, I got a nasty bug, so I went to the doctor, where I was tested for Helicobacter pylori. Then, they gave me the Prevpac of 500 mg amoxicillin, clarithromycin 500 mg, and omeprazole twice a day. I was told to take it all in one go before food. You must eat, then wait 30-45 minutes after for the PPI to work as it starts when your body is digesting. The first 3 days, nothing. I was great apart from a funny taste, no appetite, and slight runs. The third day, I didn’t eat much, and by 11 at night, I had a rapid pulse rate and felt unwell. Every day, different symptoms. On day 4, I had awful pain in my side and felt tired and unwell, as I was also experiencing insomnia. Today, on my sixth day, I woke up with a headache, and it’s lasted all day, plus I feel dizzy and sick. Insomnia, dizziness, nausea, dysentery, pain in my side, rapid heart rate once, elevated pulse rate, horrid taste, sweating, memory loss, some acid reflux, and generally feeling ill. I can’t wait for the last day, it is the only thing keeping me going as I do not want to quit."

• Tal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was diagnosed with Pylori through a stool test and put on Triple Therapy. I tried this for 4 days, had terrible side effects: insomnia, feeling awful, disorientation, high anxiety, and feeling terrible. I gave up, then tried again for 3 days, then had the same side effects. I then tried again, not wanting to give up, but on the third night, had horrific side effects: insomnia, frequent urination, high anxiety, pains in the stomach, and rapid heartbeat, and thought I was going completely mad. The next day was so bad, I had to go to the hospital ER, was checked over, was declared okay, but concerned that this medication therapy has done some damage to my kidneys. I guess some people are just sensitive to Triple Therapy, as it's very overpowering. Well done to anybody who gets through this treatment and is H Pylori negative."

• Fli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on 1 Clar (500 mg) - 2 Amox (500 mg) - 1 Omeprazole (40 mg) for 14 days and 2x per day. Before, I had stomach cramps, acid reflux, chest pains, and shortness of breath for 4 mos. So, my GI doctor examined me with a UB Test (urea), and it was confirmed I had an H. Pylori infection. The first 3 days of the treatment were horrible, having a bitter taste, bloating, belching, and some slight diarrhea, tinnitus in my ears, sore throat, loss of appetite, and the chest pain and shortness of breath are still there. The 4th to 11th day side effects are now different as I am having nausea, headaches, bitter taste, palpitations, increased heart rate, stomach cramps, insomnia, and hallucinations. Still, the chest pain and shortness of breath are still there. I'm on my 12th day taking the meds, and side effects are not the same as before, but still some sore throat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Hopefully, the infection (H. pylori) would go away, worried about my kidneys. Hoping for a positive outcome with the triple therapy."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I have been taking this medicine for 5 days now. I am left with 5 more days, and I feel like I have to wait for a year to finish this med. I have never in my life experienced this kind of illness due to the medicine. I have symptoms like nausea, a metallic taste that doesn't go away, abdominal pain at night only, shortness of breath, and also not being able to sleep at night. I hope I will finish it. The only thing that is keeping me from stopping this medicine is not wanting to quit, as the doctors told me next time the bacteria will not go away and will get adapted to the medicine. But it is the worst medicine ever, I do not ever want to experience this again in my life. I would recommend taking the medicine, but you need to take a break from every social life, work that you're doing, and take the medication at home while resting only."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2013

For Sinusitis "I'm on 500 mg for 7 days, I'm on day six, and for the past two days, I have been feeling a bit nauseous. It took almost three days to kick in to full effect. Symptoms started to improve on day two. I find the lingering taste bitter instead of metallic. I do have trouble sleeping, but it has cleared up the infection quite quickly. Make sure you eat an adequate amount of food with it. I've had no toilet issues."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2020

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Took one dose of this clarithromycin medicine with amoxicillin to start triple therapy for H. pylori. The taste is like you just ate a metal sandwich, and it doesn’t go away. Other side effects I have are itching, extreme paranoia, and insomnia at night. I was convinced someone was breaking into my house. Contacted my GI and let her know that this medication isn’t going to work for me. I am very sensitive to antibiotics and have anxiety, so hopefully others don’t experience the same thing."

• Mar...
• March 9, 2022

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "On day 9 of 14 for H. Pylori. Clarithromycin, Pantoprazole, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and Pepto-Bismol treatment. You will lessen a lot of symptoms if you eat with your antibiotics and take them as far apart in the day as possible. Also avoiding things that can cause stomach irritation, like coffee, tea, chocolate, greasy food, acidic drinks like orange juice and soda. Side effects are pretty severe. Suffering with black tarry stools, stomach pain, dry mouth and throat, insomnia/fatigue, gastric bleeding, hemorrhoid flare-up, ulcers in mouth, swollen sore throat and mouth, oral thrush, cough, reduced vision, the worst for me being my angry dry inflamed mouth and tongue. The doctor was not sympathetic to my symptoms, told me to take it anyways for the 14 days, otherwise, I would have to do it again. In most people, this won't cure the Pylori, and you will have to do this again. Side effects so severe and painful, I had a Covid test (negative). You can get reinfected by others' saliva, etc."

• 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."

• 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."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2015

For Sinusitis "I was actually given this for a bad ear infection, which I think now has gone. But I feel anxiety, cannot sleep, my eyes are blurry, it made the noise in my ears worse, and my muscles felt strange, jelly-like. As much as it is good to feel no pain, the feeling that you could put a knife through you and you would not feel it makes you feel crazy. My stomach is in pain from time to time and running to the loo. My throat feels like I need to constantly clear it, gritty in the back. My mouth is so dry and has a metallic taste. Thank goodness I have one more day of this drug that is driving me crazy."

• SML...
• June 6, 2017

For Sinusitis "2 pills a day for 7 days. Wow. I am finally done taking this medication for an ear infection that was caused by a sinus infection. I had almost all the side effects listed, sadly. Heart palpitations, headache, nausea, hunger pains, acid reflux, insomnia, diarrhea, and metallic taste in my mouth all night long! Unreal. It's my last day, and although I feel better, I now feel like I am recovering from all the side effects of this drug! My advice is to take it with a lot of food and probiotics! You will need to find a way to counteract all the side effects! I'm not sure it's even worth taking, to be honest. Heart palpitations alone made me feel like I had a heart attack waiting to happen."

• 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."

• 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."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Be careful with this antibiotic. I know it's all very individual, but I have never had such strong side effects from an antibiotic (I avoid taking such in general). It seems to be working, though very slowly, and perhaps I would have improved without taking it. However, I have terrible insomnia, waves of nasty feelings of despair, anxiety, dizziness, constant fatigue, and needles in my limbs. I think the side effects of this drug are worse than the infection it is supposed to cure. Perhaps it's just me, I don't know."

• Bee...
• May 6, 2017

For Bronchitis "I am on day 2 of this med but am also on a steroid nasal spray, so I can't comment on whether my taste buds are being affected by the meds or the spray. What I do know is that I woke up this morning without coughing. Amazing after six months of misery. I don't have an appetite, but hey, I don't mind losing a few pounds, and I am not sleeping properly, but then I haven't in months. No other noticeable side effects, just so happy not to have turned myself inside out this morning from coughing. It's a thumbs up from me."

• 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?"