Clindamycin and Heartburn: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Who...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Took this medicine because of a toothache, and I'm waiting for a root canal. DO NOT lay down right after you take it. I have unbelievable heartburn and indigestion... I can't even sleep. I never get this. Also, take with a full meal. I took the 300 mg capsule and went to bed... huge mistake. Got up, had some toast and no relief at all. Toothache pain is gone. I'm allergic to a lot of drugs, but not this one, so I really have no other choice."

• Tid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I started clindamycin on March 25 for sinus infection - 150 mg, 3x a day for 21 days. This is the first time I have taken this medication. This past Friday, I thought I was having a heart attack. I knew it was this medicine giving me awful heartburn/chest pain because I could 'taste' the medicine. The heartburn and awful taste are almost unbearable. I will try drinking more water and do probiotics/yogurt. I am thankful that, so far, I have not had any upset stomach or diarrhea. Thanks for the tips."

• Hea...
• March 5, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "To those who are saying the negative symptoms will not be experienced if you follow instructions, screw you. I'm on this for an infected cat bite. I'm pregnant, it's the only safe antibiotic for me, apparently. I am taking these as prescribed by the doctor and pharmacist with lots of water and food. The heartburn and stomach cramps/diarrhea are hell. And guess what?! On the package, it describes these as known symptoms of the medication. I hate what I am going through. So far, I have found no relief and want nothing more than to stop taking them. I will be following up with my doctor. To those who are lucky enough to not experience the symptoms/side effects? Good on you! Others aren't as lucky."

• Zab...
• November 5, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Hope this helps others! It has been said a hundred times before, so I will say it again. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK ENOUGH WATER WHEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION! I made a bad mistake by not drinking enough water with my dose. I got no sleep from the side effect of heartburn and the accompanying chest pains. So much so that I was afraid of taking my next dose. I didn't want to go through that again! I did talk myself into taking the next 600 mg because the drug works that well. I want this infection out of me once and for all! I hope these meds work for you as they have for me. Halfway there. Won't be long now!"

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2012

Clindamycin for Bacterial Infection "I have had a staph infection for some time. I was on Bactrim and Cephalexin for 10 days, and they seemed to work until I was out of medication. I was then prescribed Cleocin. I have been on it for a week, and just shy of that week, I started to have side effects. I have never before had any side effects from any medication prescribed, so this was quite a shock. Cleocin seemed to be working on my infection, but I had to discontinue its use early. I had the worst case of heartburn that would hit me in waves of pain, never before had I experienced that type of pain. The inside of my mouth became very raw."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed clindamycin for a mouth (not tooth) infection. I won't know if it worked until I am done with it and the infection stays gone. The side effects have been a bummer! Horrible heartburn, fatigue, and nausea. The heartburn is manageable with lots of water and a huge bottle of Tums. Kefir has helped too. I want the infection to buzz off, but this stuff is a drag. I have never had an antibiotic beat me up like this."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I went to the ER because I could not swallow due to the pus pockets on my tonsils and my swollen glands. They gave me a dose of this medicine in the hospital, and 2 hours later I could swallow again. I got the prescription filled and took it, holy heartburn. It is worth the pain of the heartburn because this medicine definitely worked for me."

• Fac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I was diagnosed with facial cellulitis in the ER 3 days ago. Was given this medicine via IV while in the ER and sent home with a 10-day script taking 300 mg 4 times daily. I have a small case of heartburn, nothing too bad. I have no other side effects to report from this medicine. My only complaint is taking it 4 times a day. It means in the middle of the night (3 am to be exact), I have to wake up for about 30 minutes just to take a pill. I like my sleep. So far it has worked. The swelling has gone down, and it seems the infection has stopped spreading. That was its first job! I still have to take it for 7 more days, so hoping by the time I finish, this medicine completed its final job in killing the bacteria."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I went to the dentist, had a left molar removed. My dentist is an idiot. I see a new dentist next week. I told the dentist, after he pulled the tooth, about a nasty taste and that I had boils from an abscess. After he said what I was describing didn't sound like an abscess. Eight days later, I could barely open my mouth, nasty taste, lymph nodes like rocks along the outer left jaw and under the neck. I went to a minute clinic. I also had pain in my left ear and jaw bone pain, I was given clindamycin 300mg 3x a day for 8 days, it was a miracle that I had no side effects. It took about 3 days for the pain to go away, by the 4th day, I could eat solid food again. I could have died because my dentist acts like antibiotics are smack. Only one time when I went to bed, 10 minutes after taking it, did I have heartburn. I got back up, drank iced tea, and the heartburn went away quickly. No other side effects, this was a miracle drug for me."

• Jc1...
• January 8, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I was on Clindamycin for 1 week, 4x/day. I had nerve pain from a tooth that was needing a root canal. It was supposed to lessen the pain I was having and didn't do that, I was still taking Ibuprofen for the pain. From the first time I took it, it gave me pain in my throat and chest, heartburn-like. I have never experienced this horrible feeling with any antibiotic EVER. I finally finished the dosage after 7 days, and my throat and chest still hurt. I wonder what it has done to my throat and chest? I am thinking of going to get it checked out. I am not sure why this was prescribed over another type of antibiotic. If you can, don't take this drug, you'll feel sick from what you have and feel sick from the antibiotic."

• mj6...
• October 15, 2013

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Took clindamycin, two 150 mg every 6 hrs for 7 days. I was hesitant to take this because I've had C. diff before from taking Cipro several months ago. I had cellulitis from bee stings, and I had no side effects from taking clindamycin...except to make sure to have food in your tummy when taking this because it does give heartburn if your tummy is empty. Other than that, I am thankful that I had no side effects from this. I'm sorry to hear about those who are extremely sensitive to this strong antibiotic but it has surely helped cure my cellulitis."

• Ftu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I had a severe dental and gum infection. After two bouts of penicillin, my dentist prescribed clindamycin. I have two days left of seven. I read all the Rx materials, and nothing on it about not laying down. Every night I got heartburn. This morning my stomach is in knots, and I have terrible heartburn. Your comments here have helped me feel at ease about it. I have been eating yogurt and taking probiotics to help, but not at my 3:30 am dose. Will fix that right away. It has helped my infection."

• Bas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "Just took my first dose and got in the shower and immediately felt severe heartburn. Worst heartburn ever. It made my ears hurt. I thought I was dying. I had to tell my 7-year-old if something happens and you can't wake me up, call 911 and tell them our address. It was that bad. I drank a full bottle of water after seeing what everyone else said, and the heartburn is still there but not severe anymore. I didn't even lay down before the heartburn started, so now I'm scared to go to bed in case it gets bad again."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2010

For Bacterial Infection "I took this drug for two abscesses. After 48 hours, my pain was bearable. After the recommended 6-day course (4 times daily at 150 mg), it took care of the infections. I did experience heartburn and diarrhea one day. Took probiotics to try to counter all the bacteria in my body being destroyed. On the second full day of taking clindamycin, I did experience terrible joint pain in my arms and legs and felt very uncomfortable, but that subsided after a good night's sleep. Overall, I liked the fact that it took care of the infection but am always leery of the side effects and what they can do in the long run. I strongly recommend taking probiotics or a good homemade kefir or yogurt product during and after treatment, take 2-3 hours after each dose."

• Anonymous
• June 5, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "It started halfway through the prescription, had trouble swallowing pills and water. Thought it was just me. By the time I was done with the script, I had severe heartburn and acid reflux. I couldn't eat anything because it would upset my stomach. This medicine inflamed my esophagus, that's why I had trouble swallowing. The doctor put me on Protonix to repair it."

• dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I had six upper teeth that were erupted, pulled yesterday. The night before, I had major swelling in my face, from my upper lip to my lower eye. My wife was afraid of the swelling, but there was little we could do due to the fact that it was late at night and I had a dental appointment the next morning at 9:00 a.m. I went in and had the teeth yanked out. Anyway, I started with clindamycin that afternoon and I have had four doses of 300 mg now. I haven't had that much problem with heartburn (which I always get, but I had taken Zantac last night). I do get a burpy aftertaste, but it's manageable. I will update as to any further developments. But my swelling has greatly been reduced."

• Joe...
• June 2, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I just got put on clindamycin for cellulitis, and immediately when I took it, I started having the worst chest pains as if I was having an anxiety attack. I thought it was my infection until the side effects of the medicine kept occurring into the next two days! I said enough was enough, I stopped taking them and went to my doctor. I couldn't sleep or lay down. Heartburn is an understatement, this antibiotic made me feel like I was dying. Never ever again will I take it, I'll go with the alternative. If anyone is freaking out about clindamycin and these side effects, I hope this helps. Stop taking them, go see your doctor again, find an alternative. No one should have to deal with these side effects."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2020

For Sinusitis "After many months of trying other antibiotics for sinus infection and chronic cough, my doctor prescribed clindamycin. It worked after just a few days with just a bit of heartburn. As stated in many posts, take this with a lot of water and eat, especially yogurt, prior to it. I am on my second round of 14 days as a preventative until I have surgery. It could be a while, so I’m hoping I will not get the issues that many of you have had. All in all, it’s good stuff."

• 63y...
• July 29, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed for a tooth infection. On day 5, I experience severe pain below the breastbone, extending on both sides under the ribcage. Excessive pain upon swallowing liquids of any kind and any temperature, pain was in the esophagus area near the diaphragm. Heartburn and desire to burp without any ability to do so. I discontinued use of the drug, symptoms are subsiding but still present slightly. I hope it is reversible! I have not had any GERD or other type problems prior to this drug."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Started 10 days ago for severe sinus infection, 300 mg every 8 hours. Never such severe and immediate heartburn, chest pain, acid vomit in my mouth in my life. Even when I was 8 months pregnant with twins. Beyond excruciating. I eat/drink plenty, stay upright, take a high-quality probiotic. Some days I feel nothing, while others feel like I just cannot take the pain, and it comes on very suddenly. Stopping this and praying to get through tonight without vomiting because the acid in my chest, upper stomach, throat, all the way up to the back of my tongue - just unbearable. I took famotidine within 5 minutes of taking this pill tonight because the symptoms came on so suddenly and so quickly after swallowing it. I don't even see how the pill had time to dissolve, but it certainly did, and it's now caused me to feel like I have battery acid throughout my upper body. (And I wouldn't recommend anything carbonated as it just causes me to burp up acid.) I will never, ever take this medication again!!!"

• che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I knew the side effects of this medication and the potential for stomach issues, but I was diagnosed with cellulitis in one of my eyes and did not want to end up with meningitis. The first few days were rough with a lot of heartburn and diarrhea, but as so many other people have mentioned, this can be managed by taking it after or with a meal, eating foods that are not acidic, and drinking a lot of water. The good news is that only after 4 hours and the first dose, the swelling started to disappear. It sucks to take it, but it works."

• Nic...
• October 25, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "Was prescribed clindamycin today for an abscessed tooth. I am waiting to get a root canal done on a bottom molar (2 weeks from now!). During my waiting process, my tooth became infected. Had tried amoxicillin, which failed... And then the right side of my face started to swell, and that's when the PAIN became so bad I ran to the emergency room. I took my first pill a couple of hours ago but haven't noticed a difference. Haven't had any heartburn or any other side effect. I took some oxycodone and ibuprofen about 20 minutes ago, I think it's starting to help. I hope this works! Keeping my fingers crossed. I can't take one more day of this terrible, excruciating, head-banging-on-walls, throwing-objects-across-room PAIN!"

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "Am on clindamycin for abscessed tooth. Was fine the first 4 days; however, now I'm having heartburn/extreme pressure in throat. Feels like I've swallowed something warm that got stuck and just won't leave. Seemed to help the infection; however, I'll be calling my doc on Monday if this continues: absolutely horrible sensation."

• Mes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "I'll be honest, I read the leaflet and still went ahead and lay down after 5-10 minutes of having taken the pill. The first 7 days, it didn't seem to bother me much, but now I'm feeling a hint of heartburn. The medication kicked my dental abscess! Great pill, but don't be like me, a dummy, and put little stock into the warnings. Take it properly!"

• UZI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "On clindamycin for a tooth infection and got horrible side effects (bloating, heartburn, stiff neck and shoulder, etc.). Prescribed by my dentist for an abscess, and they only mentioned that diarrhea might occur for less than a week but rarely, which is not true. Came to see my dentist for help about the side effects but was told that I was exaggerating. Stated that “he had been prescribing clindamycin for over 25 years and I am the first patient with all these ridiculous side effects. I am glad to find this website for many similar side effects that I have. Definitely, probiotics work for me tremendously after talking about my condition to a Costco pharmacist (3rd pharmacist) and she recommended them. Obviously, the first two pharmacists did not mention probiotics for my side effects but rather recommended heartburn meds only (don’t know why they didn’t know about probiotics). It has been 3 months and my side effects have reduced by over 70% but have not completely returned to normal yet. Still hoping..."