Clarithromycin and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Not sure what I have as the doctors refuse to run any tests, but I've basically got something with sinuses and a really bad cough nearing two months now. I first got Amoxicillin, which got rid of the tickly cough, but otherwise may have actually made it worse (but on the bright side, I had minimal side effects). This one seems to have minimized the actual coughing fits, but by day 5 it hasn't fixed much else, unfortunately. I was otherwise physically exhausted as well, but the first two days of these were a complete knockout for me. I'd sleep 12h, take the pill, be up for 2h before desperately needing a nap. I also got the constant metallic taste and upset stomach/diarrhea and trouble falling asleep. Definitely need probiotics with these."

• Eve...
• January 3, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "I suffer from geniculate neuralgia, and through my frustrations caused myself an agonizing ear infection. I was happy to hear that I could clear it up with antibiotics. Along with taking 1000 mg of this a day, I am also using a spray. Within an hour of taking my first tablet, I felt awful. I had instant abdominal cramps, was nauseous, and felt so weak that a 15-minute walk took twice as long. I also had a foul taste in my mouth. As the days have passed, I can report that my ear infection is clearing up, I hope, but I am constantly hungry, plus I have insomnia quite badly. I pray I never take these again, other side effects too, but they seem minor compared to some of the main ones."

• FP0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2022

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Have been prescribed 7 days, but 3 days in, have seen no benefit, only side effects. Lots of appetite, dehydrated, trouble sleeping, diarrhea. My infection has not decreased. I've just read it can take up to 7 days for clarithromycin to start working, which is too long when you can barely walk for the pain. I have been given a dose of 1000 mg a day, it's easy enough to take."

• AMU...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2021

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "This medication isn't the greatest but also not as horrific as some reviews might have you believe. It does the job and gets rid of infections, and if you're allergic to penicillin, then you don't have much choice! Sure, the metallic taste in the mouth is deeply unpleasant, the nausea can be avoided by not taking it on an empty stomach (although when it hits... bleurgh), and the insomnia isn't all that fun. But I only have to take it for a max of 10 days, all of this is manageable and far more bearable than its counterpart, Erythromycin, which ruined my Christmas dinner, and Penicillin, which I'm allergic to. 500mg x 2 per day."

• GCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "My doctor prescribed me this antibiotic because I had a mild infection on my tonsils. He said I must take it for 7 days. Everything was fine up until day 5 when the side effects kicked in, just after taking my evening dose. When I went to bed, I started feeling weird, I was randomly jumpy, seeing a flash of light, but when I rubbed my eyes, it went away. I had insomnia, feeling like a panic attack would start, and when I got up out of bed, I felt dizzy. Luckily, it started towards the end of my course, so I didn’t have to go through that for too long. It was horrible! I still have a very mild pain in my throat when I swallow, so I'm not sure if it worked. I will be going back to the doctors."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2022

For Bronchitis "Takes time to work. Day 7 of a 7-day course of clarithromycin 500 mg, not convinced it eradicated the infection completely. Still coughing and producing discolored phlegm, debilitating muscle pain and stiffness - I had to crawl up the stairs as my legs and back were affected, losing balance, therefore felt at risk of falling. Insomnia yet extremely fatigued, couldn’t contemplate tasks as I had little energy, vivid dreams (no mental health issues), was unable to focus, queasy, stomach cramps, food regurgitation (slept with raised pillows and second daily dose a few hours prior to bedtime to avoid GERD), constipation then diarrhea day 6, bitter sensation in mouth more so upon waking up, metallic tasting foods, lost appetite, fleeting headaches."

• Tak...
• March 1, 2013

For Bronchitis "I have taken the antibiotic for 2 days. Works great as far as taking away symptoms, but I'm having difficulty sleeping and breathing."

• Jul...
• January 27, 2013

For Sinusitis "I have been on it for 10 days and don't feel any better. It gives me a metallic taste and heartburn. It also caused me to have vivid dreams and problems sleeping."

• No...
• November 14, 2015

For Sinusitis "I cannot sleep with this drug and am very agitated. Like someone injected me with adrenaline 24/7. Worst antibiotic I have ever taken. On day 6, so 3 more days, but it sucks. Never again."

• dog...
• November 15, 2008

Clarithromycin for Sinusitis "My doctor put me on this for a very badly infected throat. Been on it now for two days, all I want to do is sleep, but on the other hand, my throat is feeling better today."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

For Bronchitis "It caused severe insomnia. Couldn't sleep for almost 3 days. It also caused anxiety and depersonalization. This was after only taking two doses."

• Use...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 7, 2020

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Due to my intolerance to all antibiotics, this is the only one I can take. I put up with the metallic taste, insomnia, hunger pangs, and the occasional upset tum to get the job done."

• Dag...
• August 21, 2015

For Strep Throat "This medication is very good at clearing your throat, but I had insomnia and I feel weak, as well as being a little depressed."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2020

For Bronchitis "Take this clarithromycin antibiotic for 3 days. My coughing never stopped, it is difficult to sleep, coughing all the time. I never go to this doctor anymore! I'm done with that doctor!"

• gur...
• July 28, 2017

For Bronchitis "It's been 3 days, and I cannot sleep at all! I will stop using this!"