Clarithromycin and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "So glad I found this site. Been on this drug for a couple of days for an infected cyst. The headaches and nausea I can actually handle, but this horrible metallic taste in my mouth actually wakes me up from sleep and never goes away during the day. Someone above said it perfectly... it’s like someone sprayed hairspray in my mouth. Coming off it today and will never take it again."

• Shi...
• June 2, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "OMG, what a terrible antibiotic. I was prescribed clarithromycin five days ago for a leg ulcer that is not healing right. From the first tablet, I had a horrible metallic taste in my mouth, which lasts 24/7. I tried eating mints, etc. It works at the time, but doesn't last. I feel nauseous, cannot sleep, lost my appetite, and have an upset stomach. I have one more day to go, and thank goodness I'm off them. I have persevered with this drug because I am desperate for this very painful leg ulcer to heal. Going to get some Actimel or probiotic yogurt to try to replace the good bacteria in my stomach. I shall never take this antibiotic again. Nice to know that I am not the only one."

• Jen...
• March 15, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Had this for a skin/wound infection. Took 3 into the course and felt so awful had to ask for different ones. Dizzy, out of it/woolly headed, nauseous, bad taste in mouth, everything tastes awful, farty, and generally a horrible experience. It makes sense about feeling terrible due to it killing bacteria in the body, but I never want to take it again."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2020

For Strep Throat "The nausea I have experienced from clarithromycin is beyond words, it has lasted for days. The taste in my mouth is beyond gross, my stomach has never hurt so much. I also have found out I am allergic to it because I got a rash all over my neck and was itchy. I have stopped taking it. I don’t recommend this medication to anyone."

• Lin...
• June 25, 2015

For Bronchitis "Works very fast. I was sick with a sinus infection for 8 days. The first day I felt better. But the side effects are almost unbearable. Very similar to morning sickness in a pregnancy. It does go away a few hours later."

• Kox...
• May 11, 2017

Clarithromycin for Bronchitis "I only have negative reviews for this drug. Avoid!!!! I started with a milder antibiotic, finished the course, but it relapsed with sinus & chest infection, and so I was put on Biaxin. My sinus took a month to go, but the side effects I could not tolerate were - loss of sleep (no sleep), no appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling depressed, and emotional outbursts. I'm a very happy person & always around people, but this medicine made me go into a shell. It took a lot of effort from my friends & family to get me back to my normal state of mind."

• sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2016

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "It's too early to tell yet regarding the effectiveness of the eradication protocol, but the taste in my mouth, bloating, and overall chronic nausea feel horrible. I'm somewhat relieved that I am not the only one experiencing these adverse reactions from the protocol. I do feel positive knowing that I'm getting rid of this horrible bacteria because I've been so sick for almost 2 months. Thanks for the helpful tips on what to use to help with the taste that comes from taking the clarithromycin."

• Lal...
• March 3, 2015

For Strep Throat "I took this for my severe strep throat. I was initially given amoxicillin, which didn't work at all, the doctor switched me to this. After 1 day, I already improved, and my fevers and chills subsided, and I was able to swallow without extreme pain. The downside: the stomach pain and nausea, and the metallic taste in my mouth."

• Foo...
• August 3, 2017

For Bronchitis "I only took this one time for an ear infection and water behind the eardrum. I took another antibiotic's K-pack that I reacted really well to and the pain in the ear was almost gone. Nevertheless, when I went back to the ENT, he changed the prescription to this clarithromycin. It made me so nauseous, I wasn't willing to risk taking it anymore. I am not a 'doctor-going' person. I usually wait until my pain is really bad or I have had symptoms really long. I had water behind the eardrum and dulled hearing for 8 months before I went the first time. This antibiotic, like all antibiotics and medicines, work differently on different bodies because of chemistry. Great if this worked for you, but it definitely made me sick."

• gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2017

For Skin and Structure Infection "Put on this for suspected diverticulitis after amoxicillin. Day 1 saw no real improvement except a slight lowering of my temperature, though still too high, and a decrease in my runs to the loo. The downside: the pain. The stomach cramps were bad enough from the diverticulitis, but coupled with this became borderline unbearable. Paracodol was the only thing to ease the pain. Day 2, I started noticing the pattern, as well as the vile taste in my mouth, which woke me repeatedly, and the thirst. I also noticed the nausea hit hard about 10 minutes after the tablet: retching, belching, etc. Also came the poops... again... the only thing I could do was take paracodol and try to sleep it off. Which brings me to the dreams... vivid, erratic, and scary."

• 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."

• joj...
• March 9, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Took a tablet less than 24 hours ago. The taste in my mouth was so bad eventually I brought it back up. I stopped taking it, and a few hours later started phenoxymethyl. However, I managed to get the taste out of my mouth by brushing my teeth, doing a warm water salt mouthwash, and very regularly sipping squash so there's constantly another taste in my mouth. If I don't drink for a little too long, it starts to come back, and to me, the taste is unbearable. Hope this helps."

• Yuk...
• August 23, 2016

For Strep Throat "It's 4:20 am. Despite feeling exhausted, I have been awake since 12:30 am. I have the metallic taste, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and a headache after 2 days on it. Hopefully, the doc will change it tomorrow."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2019

For Sinusitis "I had a really bad sinus infection and was put onto this drug. I noticed I don't want to eat or drink, as it is altering my appetite, and I'm a diabetic, so definitely not good for lows. I'm more tired and exhausted easily since being on this drug and nauseous. Also, diarrhea is a challenge, even with probiotics, and tummy cramps."

• Mat...
• June 17, 2016

For Strep Throat "Positively, would never use this again. The first night on it, the metal/acid taste appeared and stayed all night into the morning. Really disgusting. The second night, I was up with severe nausea in addition to the taste. Stopped after two days, as it was making me feel sicker than the reason I was prescribed the drug (strep). Also, throat did not improve much. Got an alternative antibiotic. Everyone may not have the same experience, but mine was very negative."

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2016

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "I'm allergic to penicillin, so I was given clarithromycin as an alternative. I had severe suspected tonsillitis (despite having my tonsils removed 16 years ago) and had taken loads of medication like paracetamol and an antibiotic lozenge, which did nothing; I felt better immediately after taking clarithromycin tablets but have been experiencing a number of strange and uncomfortable side effects. Firstly, the horrible metallic taste in the mouth, as everyone seems to get, also terrible flatulence, as well as (more concerningly) vaginal discharge, which turned into vaginal bleeding a couple of days later (definitely not menstruation related). I also had dizziness, nausea, frequent hunger, and ringing ears. Annoying side effects, but felt so much better!!"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2018

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I've been on this for 11 days now. The side effects of this medicine are truly bad. Sweats, nausea, itchiness, diarrhea, tired most of the time. Hope I can take it for 3 more days. I'm not needing indigestion meds. Hope this works. I've had H. pylori for a year. Don't want to ever take this again!!!! Also taking metronidazole."

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2017

For Sinusitis "I am a cigarette smoker. My dosage is one tablet twice a day for 10 days. I have 2 tablets left. My symptoms included severe post-nasal drip, and my face felt like I had been in a boxing match and lost. The doctor said my ears were filled with fluid and my coughing was nonstop. Tons of mucus coughed up and nose blowing. Since I am on day 9, I have to admit the side effects of this medication are awful. Constant headache and like the others, there is a disgusting taste in my mouth nonstop, as well as my mouth is so dry that at times my tongue actually stuck to the roof of my mouth, and my tongue hurts like it's raw. I made sure to eat before taking this and drank at least 8 ounces of water. Dizzy, nausea 'ugh.' I can't wait to be done. Also, vivid nightmare."

• Bei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

For Bronchitis "My doctor said I have bronchitis, as I have had a cough for 3 weeks, but no fever and not feeling ill. I recently moved from a hot, humid climate to a cold, dry climate. I was put on this for 10 days, 2 times a day. The first night it knocked me out, and I felt like absolute garbage the next morning. I couldn't make it into work-nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anxiety, agitation, crying spells, and sweats, but it wore off throughout the day. I ended up going back to the doctor after I took another dose last night because I felt very agitated. I saw a different doctor this time, who stated I do not have bronchitis, just a seasonal cough from the move. She recommended I stay on for at least 3 days, just in case, but to use Benadryl, nasal spray, and Pepcid. I am on my 4th dose, and I feel crummy, but not as bad as the first day. I ate yogurt and took probiotics with the subsequent doses and did not have diarrhea. Hopefully, I will never have to take this again. I never had side effects like this with amoxicillin."

• Aus...
• May 5, 2017

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Was prescribed Amoxicillin (500 mg 2 x 2 daily); Clarithromycin (500 mg 2 x daily) and Esomeprazole (40 mg 2 x daily) for my H. pylori. Started taking on Monday. Felt terrible with nausea, brain fog; worst taste ever in my mouth, fatigue, and general insecurity. Thursday 4:45 a.m. went to ER as I thought I was in a serious state. Discharged 2 hours later as high BP had reduced, blood chemistry all normal. Diagnosis: probable virus. My local doctor said to stop taking all three drugs. Had difficulty in locating an alternative. Finally prescribed metronidazole (400 mg 3 x daily); omeprazole (20 mg 1 x daily); and bismuth subsalicylate (120 mg); tetracycline (500 mg). Last two items have had to be made up by my compounding chemist. Any feedback on this alternative?"

• Ozz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2019

For Pneumonia "Amoxicillin wasn’t working for pneumonia, so was given clarithromycin twice daily, 500 mg for 10 days. Having a hard time getting a deep breath, can’t sleep, nausea and weak, terrible taste in mouth. One more day to go and will not take this medication again. Still feeling terrible!"

• axm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2018

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I'm taking a 7-day course of this antibiotic. I feel weirdly anxious and panicky on it. I also have stomach rumbling and sometimes nausea. I give it a 5 as it is curing my one-month cold, but I hate the side effects."

• Nag...
• July 25, 2015

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I took it with amoxicillin 500 twice a day for 7 days. After 2 days, I had abdominal cramps, but after finishing the treatment, my stomach pain was gone completely. However, abdominal cramps, indigestion, nausea, motion sickness, and heartburn continue until now, 20 days after finishing it. I was admitted to the hospital last week because of severe upper abdominal pain, every test and scan was normal. I will never take this medicine at all. I was really dying. I still cannot study and go to university after one month."

• Nag...
• July 25, 2015

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I took it with amoxicillin 500 twice a day for 7 days. After 2 days, I had abdominal cramps, but after finishing the treatment, my stomach pain was gone completely. However, abdominal cramps, indigestion, nausea, motion sickness, and heartburn continue until now, 20 days after finishing it. I was admitted to the hospital last week because of severe upper abdominal pain, every test and scan was normal. I will never take this medicine at all. I was really dying. I still cannot study and go to university after one month."

• RTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "GP is treating me for a respiratory infection and prescribed me 500 mg of clarithromycin twice a day for 7 days. These antibiotics are bad, I’m sure. The first day wasn’t too bad, but come day 2, the stomach pain, nausea, bitter taste, losing my sense of taste, and chronic headaches had started. I’m on day 6 and still have these side effects along with breathlessness, terrible dizziness, anxiety, and generally feeling like I’m not on this planet. My head feels like it doesn’t belong to me, which in turn doesn’t help the anxiety side effects-vicious circle! I’m at a loose end, but as I’ve only one day and my evening tablet to go, I will persevere. I hope these side effects don’t continue for too long once I’ve finished the course, or I think I may crack up!!"