Clarithromycin and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Lal...
• October 8, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I recently had surgery to remove a pilonidal sinus and was prescribed clarithromycin as my stitches opened and it became infected. I thought I was going crazy! The first two days weren't too bad, just the horrid taste and sick feeling. Then after four, I had heart palpitations and stomach cramps. I have two days left, I feel like I'm being poisoned. It won't let me sleep, my heart beats too fast, and I'm short of breath! Also, before I found this thread, I spent a day crying and depressed. I thought I'd gone mad and developed depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and insomnia overnight. Thank god I'm not the only one! Also, I've suffered from insomnia on and off for years, so cheers, give someone who struggles to sleep pills that keep you awake! Never again!"

• Mis...
• December 30, 2017

For Pneumonia "Started taking this 500 mg x2 a day on Thursday for pneumonia, narrowly avoiding hospital and IV antibiotics. Now Saturday, and my chest has cleared up and temperature gone. Thank goodness for these tablets!! The side effects are pretty grim, but nothing compared to how ill I would have been without them. I had a nasty taste in my mouth, everything tastes different, even drinks, I have a painful stomach, not being able to sleep, feeling spaced out and sick most of the time, but beside that, feeling better!!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2024

For Pneumonia "I had a fever, thinking it was a viral infection, but I actually had a skin infection, feeling awful for days. I was prescribed these, and I felt better the next day. My sore throat went, and my fever I had for 8 days went as well. But I felt sick taking these, and a horrible taste in my mouth, and insomnia."

• 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."

• Saz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I first took this drug 4 and a half years ago for tonsillitis, and it was the worst thing I've ever had. Metallic taste in mouth, lack of sleep, not to mention the horrific stomach cramps and the fact that I couldn't eat for nearly 2 weeks. Chewing food made me throw up. I lost loads of weight, and all the doctors did was give me anti-sickness tablets to take alongside it. Since then, I have had nothing but problems with my gut. I've been on antacids for 2 years now and been suffering with my bowels since taking it. I can't eat pasta without having cramps. I've had a few endoscopies and am waiting for a further one. It has taken this time for anyone to take me seriously. I will never take this again!"

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2019

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I will avoid ever having to take this clarithromycin antibiotic again. I gave up taking it after 3 days as I decided I'd rather put up with the tonsillitis. The constant foul taste in my mouth and insomnia were just too much to take. Never again."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I've taken these antibiotics before for tonsillitis in the past and the first time I had a pilonidal cyst, and every time I dread it. This is the second time a pilonidal cyst has started to grow. On top of not being able to lie on my back and sit down without pain, the sleepless nights have been awful every time! The taste in your mouth is horrible and makes me feel ill. Woke up five times in the night, and my body felt so weak. They may do the trick, but taking them is a challenge."

• OK...
• December 9, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Clarithromycin because I asked for an antibiotic that wouldn't upset my stomach. Well, it didn't do that, but by day 3, I was feeling sick most of the time and finding it hard to sleep. I could have coped with that, but I also had the indescribable, awful taste in my mouth which, although it doesn't sound like much, became unbearable. Everything I ate tasted of it, and my breath and urine smelled of it. It's unfortunate because the drug did seem to be working, but I had to go back to my doctor and ask to be prescribed something else. I hope I never have to take this again."

• Dut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Took this antibiotic for post-COVID bacterial lung infection. It has cleared my infection, but WOW, I’ve never felt like that in my life. I ended up in an ambulance twice with breathing difficulties because of an adverse reaction to the antibiotics. The first day and night was okay, then the nightmare started: no appetite, body aches, insomnia, night sweats, total delusions (didn’t know where I was). I've stopped then with one day to go as I can’t bear to do another night. Feel a million times better since I stopped them."

• ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2018

For Bronchitis "Never again. I took only one dose before going to sleep. There was almost no sleep. Nightmares, feeling terrified. Instead of my child, I saw an old, scary face sleeping on the bed, and now I know how insomnia feels. I would discourage all single parents who have no help from taking this something. By the way, I had to give it 1 out of 10 as the site didn't let me put 0 out of 10."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I took this twice a day (500 mg) for seven days and could not wait for the course to be over. I’ve never suffered from side effects to a medication before, but I had an awful headache from day 3 onwards, and the metallic/bitter taste in my mouth was really awful and made me feel nauseous and affected my sleep. I’d request a different medication if you can!"

• Jan...
• September 24, 2016

"Within an hour of taking my first pill, I had an extremely unsettled stomach (much like bad hunger pains). The taste in my mouth was bad the first day, but when I got to the third, it was unbearable. No drink or chewing gum could get rid of it. Then, when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I started seeing things in my room and being EXTREMELY anxious and paranoid (I do suffer from anxiety, but this significantly worsened it). My dreams have been vivid and disturbing, this, joined with the lack of sleep, was like torture. Also, I couldn't pass urine properly, which left me with a painful bladder. I have now completely stopped. Never again. However, it did work in beginning to clear up my chest infection, but personally, this was not worth it."

• bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2017

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "On day 4 of 500 mg twice daily of clarithromycin for throat and chest infection. Throat not as painful, but not completely cleared yet. The bitter taste in the mouth is very unpleasant and tinges everything I eat. Hard to sleep as the taste is worse at night, so very tired all of the time. Furry, yellow tongue. Hoping today is the turning point in recovery."

• Ann...
• January 18, 2017

For Strep Throat "I've been on a 7-day course of this drug at 500 mg twice daily for strep throat. It has to have been one of the most unpleasant experiences I've ever had with an antibiotic. Now, I could put up with the awful metallic taste, but the absolutely horrendous nausea and fever I was getting was something else. That was aside from the insomnia side effect I experienced in addition. It doesn't do anything for my strep throat either, Flagyl is much more effective than this at a lower dosage than clarithromycin in even a 5-day course. I would seriously warn anyone who, like myself, cannot take penicillin-based medications to seek out an alternate antibiotic first."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

For Sinusitis "I was given this for a sinus infection. Let me tell you, I don’t mind metallic tastes. But, after just a day and a half of taking it, I was suffering from the worst anxiety. Heart racing, insomnia, crazy anxious thoughts. I called a pharmacist and asked if this clarithromycin caused nervousness. She said that yes, it causes this 10 percent of the time. I knew it! I had to stop taking it immediately. You know what does work for a sinus infection. An urgent care doctor prescribed me clindamycin and a Z-Pak, taken together - I forget the dosage but kicked that sinus infection out - and rather quickly. Sometimes the urgent care doctors know more than the ENT doctors. Incredible. Always take antibiotics with food too if your pharmacist tells you to. I think clarithromycin is poison, like a lot on here."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2022

For Sinusitis "My dose is 500 mg twice a day for 7 days. Took myself into the emergency room as I was having very bad pressure in my head with a sinus infection that took over my life for 8 weeks. The doctor prescribed me these tablets. I sat and stared at the packet for 2 days, afraid to take them in case of side effects. I finally picked up the courage to take them. Now I have one more tablet to take tonight and I'm finished my course. I think I responded well to these tablets. My sinus infection has cleared, although I still feel a bit of pressure around my cheeks, but not as bad as it was. The only thing I will say is these gave me constipation, and I've found it hard to get to sleep at night. One night sleeping, then the next night I would be wide awake. I had a bit of dizziness and feeling off balance. Overall, these have helped me. I just hope they have done what they're supposed to do and my sinus infection doesn't come back. Yes, you will probably have a couple of side effects, but if not serious, do try and finish the course."

• Cat...
• September 20, 2017

For Strep Throat "I am on day 7 and more miserable than when I started taking the drug. I have had headaches, trouble getting to sleep, stomachache, heart palpitations, and I think I have even noticed more hair falling out than usual. My tonsils are still swollen and sore throat is still present, but I have gotten a yeast infection because all the good bacteria in my vagina have apparently been killed, so I'm out of balance. Miserable. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to see if I can get something else. Should have done it days ago."

• Agn...
• November 18, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Bitter taste in your mouth all the way through! On the first day, had heart racing and high blood pressure, so I had to call an ambulance! On the third day, severe headache and worsening reflux. On the fifth day, nausea, lack of sleep, vomiting, funny feeling in my throat and chest, supposed to be caused by reflux. It leaves you feeling really weak and sweaty, but overall helped with my chest infection when everything else failed and my hope was lost. I also had vivid dreams, didn't like that, too."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2022

For Pneumonia "Most of my side effects are insomnia, which is very disturbing, dreaming stressful situations, feeling nauseous, and excessive sweating all night and morning. I hope to finish the treatment as fast as I can and never take it again."

• Fli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "Not good. Feel really sick on this stuff. The horrible taste is actually the most manageable symptom! I’m 4 days in now, and my stomach is feeling terrible with major gastrointestinal issues, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and terrible insomnia and broken sleep. It does seem to be sorting out my ear infection, but I’m actually feeling really ill from it. I’d not recommend it to anyone unless there really is nothing else to take!"

• Fli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "Not good. Feel really sick on this stuff. The horrible taste is actually the most manageable symptom! I’m 4 days in now, and my stomach is feeling terrible with major gastrointestinal issues, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and terrible insomnia and broken sleep. It does seem to be sorting out my ear infection, but I’m actually feeling really ill from it. I’d not recommend it to anyone unless there really is nothing else to take!"

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "This is the worst antibiotic I have ever taken. Constant horrible headache 24/7 combined with insomnia... Had to change to other antibiotics after ten days of horror. Felt like I was awake in a constant nightmare."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2016

For Strep Throat "I am allergic to penicillin (break out in a rash) and amoxicillin (go into anaphylactic shock), so my doctor prescribed me this for a bad bout of tonsillitis. Within the first two pills (500 mg twice a day), the swelling has gone down, and although the pain is still there, I feel these pills are really working well for me. As for side effects, I have had exactly zero. I take them with food, and so far everything seems to be working well. It might be worth noting that during this bout of tonsillitis, I have suffered severe insomnia, fever, and hallucinations, so even if the antibiotics did cause side effects, I would not know! Brilliant drug."