Clarithromycin and Metallic Taste: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2019

For Sinusitis "I'm currently on this medication, and I can hardly come to finish the course! I have constant diarrhea, a metallic taste 24/7, and I do not eat or drink anything all day. Nighttime is the worst, I constantly have to wake up and spit out the nasty taste in my mouth, and I can't seem to ever get any good sleep because my dreams are so vivid, plus the constant waking up to a bad taste. I will make sure to never take this medication again, it really is the worst I have EVER been on! (and I have been on a lot!)"

• 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."

• 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."

• pon...
• April 5, 2017

For Bronchitis "I started taking these tablets for a chest infection. I am on day 4 and thinking of stopping. My mouth tastes vile. I am constantly drinking or swilling my mouth out as I have a metallic, perfume taste in it. I keep having some weird dreams, and I am very restless at nighttime since I started these tablets. Another thing is I don't have an appetite at all. I have been taking these tablets for 4 days, and the only thing I feel is my chest loosening, but everything else I still have, and the pain I suffer from in my stomach is not nice. I just say since taking this medication, I have felt worse in regards to stomach trouble, not eating or sleeping, and the worst thing is the taste in my mouth is really vile!!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Wow, these have to be the worst ones out there, and I do have a low tolerance for antibiotics. But my god, day 1 was fine, and I thought, okay, these seem fine. Day 2, woke up in the morning with a horrible, nasty metal taste in my mouth. Gagged when I brushed my teeth. By 11 am, I was feeling really ill. I was shaking, I was panicky, my eyes were blurry, had palpitations. By 12, I was back down at the doctor's, I was even worse than I started. Will not take these again, ever."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

Clarithromycin for Pneumonia "I have taken this medication many times before. I have asthma, so I am prone to infections in my lungs. I get prescribed this medication often, and it clears it up in the 7 days. The only side effect I get is the metallic taste, I just take it at night to avoid it."

• har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2016

For Sinusitis "Did clear up the sinus infection I've had raging for a month or so. The nausea is crippling - make sure to take it with food. Definitely experienced the metallic taste - it's disgusting. Interacts with albuterol, which is making my life a little extra hard considering that I've had bronchitis/asthma for the past month and a half."

• 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."

• Ano...
• February 15, 2016

For Pneumonia "Strong metallic taste for the first couple of days. I started taking it with milk, and if the taste returned, had another glass of milk, which neutralized the revolting metallic taste for me. Also, this initially caused sickness, but it stopped after 2 days."

• Sic...
• January 24, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Had tonsillitis for at least 4 months now, given amoxicillin didn't work, then erythromycin, which I took a reaction to, so doc put me on clarithromycin as a last resort antibiotic. On day 4, and the pain has eased a bit but not significantly, tonsils are still really red and swollen, and there are still white dots on them. Horrible, horrible metallic taste in mouth that wakes me up feeling nauseous every hour or two, so sleep is disrupted, diarrhea and moderate stomach pains (nothing like the erythromycin), extremely itchy to the point I break the skin, but no signs of a rash, tongue is very sore and is really red with loads of red dots all over the top and sides."

• cor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2014

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "After the first set of antibiotics didn't work, I was given this type. 3 days in, my cough has definitely improved, but the metallic taste I constantly have is just horrible. Will continue with treatment, just eating mints lots, but they don't really hide the taste."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Picked up a superbug after a 12-day stay in the hospital. I was put on 2 previous antibiotics before they started me on Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 7 days. Clarithromycin had me feeling 'cured' by day two, but I intend to finish it. I had to adjust or discontinue 3 other meds while taking this antibiotic, to ensure my heart would not race for no reason, and it has not. But I do experience cramps and diarrhea, but found Omeprazole handled those horrid side effects, and citrus juice helps with that greatly with the metallic taste in my mouth. Although I needed to make a lot of adjustments, this is a fantastic antibiotic considering I have been battling this same bug since Feb 25, and it's now April 23. This is the only antibiotic that worked!"

• Dal...
• August 9, 2015

For Sinusitis "On the third day of treatment for a severe sinus infection that Amoxy wouldn't clear. Drainage has slowed somewhat, but the nose is really dry and painful. Taking Flonase and Mucinex along with Singulair. Side effects: anxiety, irritability, strange depressive thoughts, and a metallic taste in the mouth, burning urination, and a slight tummy ache."

• Im...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2016

For Sinusitis "12.29.16 I too suffer from sinusitis due to a deviated septum. I've become allergic to penicillin, sulfa, and doxycycline, made me lose skin, and I'm sensitive to Z-Pak. I know clarithromycin is in the same family as Z-Pak, but man did this work for me within 2 days. No colors, facial pain, cough, etc. I do get that weird metallic taste, but I just deal with it. I eat Greek yogurt with the doses (500 mg twice a day) to avoid stomach pain and diarrhea due to the good bacteria in the Greek yogurt. I do find myself getting hyper at times while on it and tired, but it's worth it. As far as not sleeping, I use marijuana, an INDICA strain (yes, it makes a difference) in the evenings to help sleep. I try to stay hydrated as well, Gatorade. It worked wonders for me."

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "This medication, clarithromycin, is the worst. The side effect of the metallic taste in your mouth lasts for hours and days. (Tastes like hairspray or something toxic in your mouth.) Comes and goes, but very often. I get stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea, and really bad indigestion when eating food. Makes it really difficult to finish a meal. Feeling extremely ill, run down. Had bouts of insomnia and anxiety. I’ve had to be on this medication twice in the last month, and honestly, I’m guttered to be on it again. It really is like taking poison, the side effects are horrible, but I’m trying to push through it. Good luck if you’re prescribed this, I just want to cry."

• Jor...
• September 11, 2015

For Sinusitis "First off, this tablet makes me feel so nauseous, however, I've had trouble hearing anything recently, and it has picked up since I was prescribed this drug. Though it always leaves an awful, hard-to-describe metallic tangy taste on the sides of my tongue, it is so disgusting! I went through a whole packet of mints in 1 hour trying to get rid of it. I always feel sick taking this, but it works. Embarrassing to say, I have to poop twice a day now, but they're always small bits! It's uncomfortable, but it gets the job done."

• Lit...
• December 9, 2014

For Pneumonia "I have been on this pill for 5 days now! It seems to work through the day, but at night my chest still feels very sore, the pneumonia still hasn't seemed to fade. However, I am able to do more during the day without being in pain. Must be working! I too had an awful metallic taste in my mouth all day after this pill. It made me sick to my stomach. To stop this, I actually started taking my pill with applesauce. Just ate a few spoonfuls, then put the pill on the spoon in applesauce and swallow. It leaves a tiny taste, however, it does not last and doesn't make me sick. I suggest trying something like this, not just water."

• Whe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Was prescribed a week's course to clear a skin abscess, have a penicillin allergy, and worked well, but side effects very noticeable - metallic taste in my mouth from day 2 and very painful stiff neck, making it difficult to move my head while sleeping or turn my head while awake and up and about. Also had vivid, disturbing dreams. No stomach upsets though..."

• 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!"

• Mik...
• April 8, 2011

Clarithromycin for Bronchitis "Biaxin was prescribed for bronchitis, 500 mg, 2x daily. I have experienced a metallic taste since the first pill. I am tired and have experienced soreness on my right side. I have experienced soreness on my right side from other antibiotics as well (not all antibiotics), so perhaps this is a rare sensitivity on my part."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I am allergic to penicillin, so I always have to take clarithromycin or erythromycin or doxycycline. I am on day 4 of 7 clarithromycin, and my infected insect bite has massively improved, but the awful metallic taste keeps waking me up and stays all day, every day that I take it. I am also nauseous and bloated, I have severe mental issues as it is, and it’s making me more anxious. I’m also more exhausted than usual, which, considering I have fibromyalgia, is an achievement. I hate the side effects, but I can’t argue that it works."

• 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."

• Ber...
• September 24, 2016

For Bronchitis "Started on tablets yesterday for bronchitis, had been on another penicillin for a sinus infection but still hadn't recovered 100%, hence the clarithromycin. I have had 3 tablets so far and will not be taking any more. I have been up since 2:00 am and am exhausted but still can't sleep. I am not due to menstruate, however, I am experiencing excessive bleeding, and the metallic taste makes me physically ill, but the diarrhea and the stomach gurgling and cramps are so not worth it. I would prefer to have bronchitis than the side effects from this drug. I only hope no permanent damage has been caused. Would strongly recommend anything BUT this medication."

• DMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was put on amoxicillin initially for a severe chest infection and laryngitis, but it did nothing, so I was given clarithromycin 500 mg to be taken twice a day, and oh my days, this stuff might help with the infection, but the side effects are ridiculous! The stomach cramps appear randomly along with awful nausea. Now I could cope with them, but having gas all day and the unholy metallic taste in your mouth constantly, even rousing you from the little sleep you get in the first place, is horrendous!!!! I’m glad I’m signed off from work; otherwise, I’d be a wreck! Three more days, then I’ll be saved. Hopefully, I’ll never have to take these ever again in life!"

• 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."